CALDWELL COUNTY, NC — The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office is responding to residents who are concerned about an upcoming D.A.R.E. raffle, which features a custom built AR-15 and a Henry Lever Action .22 L.R.
The entire statement released by the CCSO Thursday night can be viewed below:
The Caldwell County DARE program unfortunately is not entirely publicly funded. The members of the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office and The Lenoir Police Department feel very strongly about the need to have a very active DARE Program. The DARE Program serves a vital role in our community to develop relationships with children in schools and to express the dangers that illegal drugs pose to the public and our children. Caldwell County DARE hosts various fundraisers in order to obtains the funds needed to operate the DARE Program. Members in the DARE Program are always looking for new and innovative ways of raising money to keep our DARE Program successful.
As part of this year’s fundraiser two rifles have been donated to be raffled. The proceeds of the raffle are going to further fund this year’s DARE Program. Gun raffles in Caldwell County are used often for fundraising based on the number of gun owners that reside within Caldwell County. Currently there are 7,400 Concealed Weapon Permit holders in Caldwell County and last year 2183 gun purchase permits were issued.
Once the drawing is held the winners of the rifles will be presented with a Certificate indicating which rifle was won along with the name of the person that won the rifle. The winner at that point will be required to go to the Federally Licensed Firearm Dealer to claim the firearm. In addition to a standard background check that is conducted when a rifle is purchased, the Caldwell County DARE program will be requiring the winner of the rifles to also obtain a Gun Purchase permit prior to claiming the rifle at the Federal Firearms Dealer. A gun purchase permit currently is not required when purchasing a rifle, but will be required to claim the rifles that will be raffled.
We are aware that there are some individuals that are unhappy with the fact that The Caldwell County DARE Program will be raffling firearms; however the goal of the raffle is to raise money that will benefit this worthy program in continuing to combat drug addiction and abuse. The Caldwell County DARE Program will continue to strive to divert children from using illegal drugs and alcohol. The shareholders of this program will examine the fundraising methods that are utilized in the future.
“In addition to having a full time Deputies in every school I have always supported the DARE program and feel that DARE is important in changing the lives children in this County. During my time as Sheriff we have expanded the DARE Program from 2 to 14 DARE Officers that are certified and will continue to use all resources available to beat drug usage in this County.” – Sheriff Alan C. Jones
According to a flyer, the rifles will be auctioned off during an annual Golf Tournament held at Cedar Rock on August 7th.
The Sheriff’s Office says gun raffles are often used for fundraising events in Caldwell County due to the high number of gun owners who reside their.
Officials say all federal and state gun laws will apply to the raffle, and the winner will be subject to a background check at the time of receipt. Anyone not eligible to own a firearm will forfeit their winnings.
In addition to the background check, the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office says the winner will also be required to obtain a Gun Purchase permit before claiming their prize. Even though a Gun Purchase permit is currently not required when purchasing a rifle, officials say it will be required to claim rifles won in the raffle.
