Gun raffle in memory of fallen officer by Memphis Police Association gets mixed reviews

[The Legion]

https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/local/gun-raffle-memory-fallen-officer-by-memphis-police-association-gets-mixed-reviews/G6CMFFXKJ5G5XCET5X3REHBHDE/

November 03, 2021 at 8:50 pm CDT

By FOX13Memphis.com News Staff

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A gun raffle in memory of an officer who died in the line of duty is getting mixed reviews from the public.

The Memphis Police Association is auctioning off one of more than 20 semi-automatic weapons in the memory of Scotty Triplett, a Memphis Police Department officer who died in May in a crash.

Triplett was on his motorcycle escorting a group of nearly 200 riders known as Sligshot of Memphis when the crash happened.

Now, the Memphis Police Association is holding a raffle in order to donate the proceeds to Triplett’s family.

Tickets can be purchased for $10, or five tickets for $40, at 638 Jefferson Ave. or by contacting 901-523-7075. On December 3, one winner will be drawn and have the option to pick one of the following Glock Pistols (Models: G17, Gen5, G19, G19 Gen5, G23, G23 Gen5, G26 Gen3, G26 Gen5, G27, G27 Gen5, G31, G31 Gen4, G32, G32 Gen4, G33, G44 Gen4, G37, G37 Gen4, G38, G39, G42, G43, G43X, G44, G45 or G48), according to the Memphis Police Association.

The fact that another gun is being put on the street, however, during a year where Memphis is once again on pace to break its homicide record, causes concern for some citizens like Dee Dee Brown.

Brown said that the cause is admirable, but thinks there could be a better way to support the fallen officer’s family.

“What the (heck) you going to raffle a gun for?” Brown said. “Why you want to raffle a gun so somebody can get killed with it? He’s already a fallen officer. They need to give him some money, some trust funds, stuff like that. Pay for his funeral and stuff.”

The gun raffle will come less than a month after the Memphis Police Department holds an event to try and get guns off the street.

Groceries or Gas for Guns takes place Nov. 13 and MPD will be handing out $50 or $100 Kroger gift cards to people who trade in unwanted handguns or assault rifles.

The Glock, however, is known to be a very safe gun and could remain so if in the hands of someone trained in gun safety.

Jonathan Cross with Tactical Training Centers said whoever does walk away with the new Glock should know these three things.

“Treat every gun as if it’s loaded,” Cross said. “Number 2 never point the gun at anything you’re not willing to destroy. The third rule of firearm safety is to keep your fingers straight and off the trigger until the sights are on target.”

FOX13 reached out to the Memphis Police Association to talk about the gun raffle, but they declined.

 

[Grayfox54]

In typical News Media fashion. the outraged citizen they interviewed is butt ugly and has the I.Q. of a crayon. 

I like it! I don't even like Glocks, but I may buy a ticket or two just because I think its a good thing. 

[Grunt67]

As I always say,  if  Jesus H. Christ walked down the street passing out $1000 Bill's, somebody's gonna gripe about it.

[WillyK]

6 hours ago, Grunt67 said:

As I always say,  if  Jesus H. Christ walked down the street passing out $1000 Bill's, somebody's gonna gripe about it.

Where you gonna get change for a thousand? Ain't nobody got time for that.

[deerslayer]

Another gun “is going to be put on the street” whether MPA raffles it or not.  
 

I was at a sanctioned IDPA match across the river this weekend and bought raffle tickets for a gun I didn’t want after one of the female shooters helping run the match made a last round with the raffle bucket (she changed my mind).  The last thing I need is another Glock, but I may have to buy a few tickets.  

[Ronald_55]

So what I read is that you guys in Memphis need to be in the parking lot of the Buy Back on November 13th with cash.... Buy all the handguns and nasty "assault rifles" you can for $150. The person gets an extra $50 or $100 and you save a gun from being chopped up. 

The public has little idea that to get that Glock the winner will still need to do a BGC before receiving it. I am guessing with the choices a store is either donating it or offering a greatly reduced price. Easier to get that and couple it with a raffle than to get people to just hand over cash. 

 

[deerslayer]

Glock donated the gun, according to the video.  

BTW, there is no gun; the winner will receive a certificate that entitles them to one of the guns mentioned.  For an additional $55 (or whatever), the winner can upgrade to an MOS.  For an additional $108, the winner can upgrade to a 40/41 etc.  For an additional $175, the winner can upgrade to a gen 5 34 MOS and so on.  I made up the upgrade fees, but you get the picture.  Glock will ship the gun to the winner’s FFL in a month or eight (depending on what flavor the winner chooses).  I don’t know any of this for sure, but I bet lunch I’m right.  This is the same process that many shooting matches use for prize guns.  

Edited November 4, 2021 by deerslayer

[Grayfox54]

7 hours ago, Ronald_55 said:

So what I read is that you guys in Memphis need to be in the parking lot of the Buy Back on November 13th with cash....

Nope, I'll be at the gun show in Jackson. Memphis tried this a couple of times back in the 1990s I believe it was. The first one I took a RG-22 that I bought from a co-worker for $10. Traded it for $75 worth of grocery and gas gift certificates.  And that was about the average of the junk they got that day. BTW: I had as much cash as I could scrape up in my pocket to work the line and buy up anything worth while. I didn't see one gun worth buying. 

The second buy back they got I believe something like 20 or 30 guns. All were total crap. meanwhile, the gun show on the other side of the fairgrounds drew over 5000 visitors. 

Just waiting to see how big a flop this next buy back will be. Of course if they get just one or two guns, the local news will call it a huge success. 

[deerslayer]

I bought five raffle tickets and have decided I will get a 45 MOS when they draw my name.  You gotta be positive.  

The cop who took my money said they have been getting calls asking why they are giving guns away, etc.  Uninformed people who have no idea how the purchase process works or what an FFL is.  

Edited November 6, 2021 by deerslayer

[Grunt67]

20 minutes ago, deerslayer said:

I bought five raffle tickets and have decided I will get a 45 MOS when they draw my name.  You gotta be positive.  

The cop who took my money said they have been getting calls asking why they are giving guns away, etc.  Uninformed people who have no idea how the purchase process works or what an FFL is.  

True. Ignorance has no borders.