Youth Hockey Association In North Dakota Holding 'Gun Raffle'

WEST FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Gun raffles are common in North Dakota, but one aimed at raising money for a youth hockey association is drawing national attention in the wake of the December school shooting in Newtown, Conn.

The Dec. 14 shooting rampage that killed 20 first-graders and six adults sparked a nationwide debate about gun control. Mike Prochnow with the West Fargo Hockey Association says the group's gun raffle was planned months before the Connecticut tragedy.

The association is raffling off 4,000 tickets for 200 weapons including rifles and shotguns, hoping to raise $90,000. The drawing is March 15.

WDAY-TV reports that some West Fargo residents like Teresa Blackcloud question the timing of the raffle. Others say North Dakotans have a different attitude about guns, and there's nothing wrong with the raffle.