Gun Shop Criticized For Raffling AR-15 To Benefit Orlando Victims

MCHENRY, Ill. (AP) — A suburban Chicago gun shop is raffling a semi-automatic weapon to benefit victims of the nightclub shooting in Orlando.

Second Amendment Sports owner Bert Irslinger Jr. tells the Chicago Tribune (http://trib.in/293ArqQ ) the shop "wanted to do something for the loss of lives and injuries." Gunman Omar Mateen opened fire in a gay nightclub June 12, leaving 49 people dead and 53 injured.

Store owners plan to announce the winner of the AR-15 rifle on July 31 when they open a new gun range and larger showroom. Tickets are $5.

Kathleen Larimer's son, John Larimer of Crystal Lake, Illinois, was one of 12 people killed in the 2012 shootings in a Colorado movie theater. Larimer called the raffle an inappropriate publicity ploy and says it doesn't take guns' killing power seriously.