Chester County sheriff’s office to auction off AR-15 assault rifle

Several models of AR-15 rifles. (Credit: Wikipedia)

The Chester County Deputy Sheriff’s Association will on May 13 hold a raffle to pay for training in the department’s dog units, according to a report from The Daily Local News.

Prizes include $100 cash – and a Savage .22 bolt-action rifle and a Colt AR-15 assault rifle, two items that are ruffling feathers of gun violence advocates.

Chester County Sheriff Carolyn “Bunny” Welsh on Monday defended the auction, saying the guns were donated by an unnamed county resident and winners will be required to submit to a federal background check before the guns are legally transferred to them.

“It was certainly not our intention to be insensitive,” Welsh said.

“However, this is a legal weapon that will be transferred to a law-abiding, legal resident.”