NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) –
A fundraising event in the works for Tennessee state Rep. Andy Holt was offering an AR-15 as the door prize.
Holt, R-Dresden, is known for speaking his mind, and the day after the deadliest shooting in American history is no exception.
For an upcoming fundraiser, the West Tennessee lawmaker is planning to give away two AR-15 rifles, the same kind of weapon used in Sunday’s shooting.
“We should not focus on the gun itself,” said Holt in a phone conversation. “We should focus on the depravity of the heart of the person who’s pulling the trigger.”
Omar Mateen, who allegedly pledged his allegiance to the Islamic State, carried out an attack at a gay night club in Orlando early Sunday morning.
Investigators said he used a pistol as well as an assault-style rifle to kill 49 people and wound 53 others.
Holt said his door prize will encourage people to protect themselves.
When asked if he thought giving away an assault-style rifle might be offensive, Holt said, “It’s not intended to come across as offensive, it’s intended to help people.”
The AR-15 has emerged as the weapon of choice in recent mass shootings such as San Bernandino, CA, Aurora, CO, and Newtown, CT. It has the ability to fire several rounds in a short time frame.
Holt said any weapon is dangerous in the hands of a deranged criminal.
“You can inflict a lot of damage,” said Holt when asked if a person with a handgun would be able to kill so many. “A Molotov cocktail would have done the same thing.”
Other lawmakers clearly disagree.
On Twitter, Congressman Steve Cohen, D-TN, called on House Speaker Paul Ryan on Sunday to introduce legislation that would ban all assault weapons and high capacity magazines.
“Outside of our military, no one in this county needs an assault rifle to defend themselves or their homes.They are often used in these mass shootings. Also as Congress continues the appropriations process, we must allocate more federal funding for mental health treatments and centers,” said Cohen in a statement.
