Riverhead gun shop rifle raffle for school team 'unlawful,' state Gaming Commission official says

A Riverhead gun shop will be in violation of state law if it holds a rifle raffle next week to raise money for a high school volleyball team, a state Gaming Commission official said Wednesday.

State law says only "religious, charitable and nonprofit organizations" are allowed to hold games and raffles to raise funds for charitable endeavors, gaming commission spokesman Brad Maione said in an email, responding to a question from Newsday.

JJ Armory in Riverhead is raffling off a semiautomatic weapon to raise money for the Riverhead High School volleyball team. The drawing is to be held Sept. 20.

"This entity is not authorized," Maione said. "Any operation of a raffle [by an unauthorized company] is considered unlawful — even if well-intentioned."

The school district said Tuesday it would refuse any money raised by the raffle.

In an interview Wednesday, JJ Armory owner Joe Oliver said he was not aware of the state law. He said he planned to contact the gaming commission for further clarification.

“The group I'm donating to is a nonprofit," Oliver said by phone. "I never heard anything about [the state law].”

He said reaction from the community Wednesday to news of the raffle was “really good. A lot of support. I’m really happy.”

Maione said enforcement of the state prohibition would have to come from a local law enforcement authority.

Riverhead Police Chief Edward Frost did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

At least one Riverhead civic leader said she was outraged by the raffle.

Cindy Clifford, of the Heart of Riverhead Civic Association, said the raffle is “insane” and added she planned to contact school officials.

She said the civic group had a preplanned meeting scheduled for Saturday morning with Riverhead schools Superintendent Robert M. Hagan.

“I think there are some things that are so inherently wrong with this," Clifford said in a phone interview. "You just wonder who’s making these decisions.”

Riverhead school officials said Tuesday they did not authorize the raffle. 

By Carl MacGowan

carl.macgowan@newsday.comCarlMacGowan

Carl MacGowan is a Long Island native who covers Brookhaven Town after having previously covered Smithtown, Suffolk County courts and numerous spot news and feature stories over his 20-plus year career at Newsday.