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The truth behind the gun raffle taboo
When it comes to the world of guns, some words like “raffle” and “lottery” are simply taboo. Why is this you might ask?
Good question. You might think it falls on the ATF, but that is not necessarily the case. State gaming commissions are responsible for regulating all games of chance, including raffles.
Additionally, the Federal Trade Commission oversees the legality of raffles, lottery, and sweepstakes. So while in some states, under some conditions, raffling off a firearm is completely legal. However, the standard to ensure legal compliance is different in nearly all states.
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That’s why companies like Field Seats do NOT raffle any of their weapons. Instead, they sell seats to digital reviews, and one lucky audience member will be gifted the reviewed fire arm after the event.
To read more about how companies like Field Seats are able to legally giveaway guns, click here.
Why so complicated?
There are several different categories of gambling. These are generally broken into:
- Charitable
- Pari-mutuel
- Lotteries
- Commercial
- Tribal
- Racetrack
- Online
- Sports betting
States like Utah and Hawaii have mostly a full ban across the board on gambling. In contrast, Nevada allows nearly all betting… except lottery.
Now multiply this complexity by the gun laws in each state, and you begin to understand why it can be such a headache. The laws become even more complicated when you consider how they apply across the state lines.
If you win, there are even more considerations when it comes to giving the weapon as a gift. Check out this quick gifting guide by the National Shooting Sports Foundation by clicking here.
At the end of the day, make sure you read the fine print and only do business with Federal Firearms License Dealer who knows the laws in your state. That way, the only taboo will be how much you spend on ammo.
