NRA Raffles Guns, City Officials Fire Back

Local elected officials are calling for a Coney Island restaurant to call off an NRA fundraiser planned for next month, saying its an affront to the commuinty's efforts to reduce violence.

It will be the second year in a row that the iconic Italian eatery Gargiulo's has hosted Brooklyn Friends of NRA's annual event, but in the aftermath of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Davis High School in Parkland, Florida, the gathering is drawing much more attention this time.

At the heart of the outrage is the firearms raffle. According to a flier advertising the fundraiser, attendees can buy tickets for a chance to win prizes like a .38 revolver, a variety of rifles and even a shotgun—all customized with engravings featuring NRA logos and quotes from the Second Amendment.

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, Public Advocate Letitia James and others have questioned the appropriateness of the event being held just weeks after 17 people were killed in Parkland, Florida. Several city officials have signed on to a letter calling for Gargiulo's to cancel the event, and Adams told WNYC that his office is investigating whether it is legal for the group to raffle off weaponry.

"We have extremely stringent gun laws here in New York City, and we want to make sure they are not violating any of them," Adams said.

So far, it looks like the event will go on. Gargiulo's co-owner Louis Russo says he is contractually obligated to the Brooklyn Friends of NRA.

"We did this last year and didn't have any issues," Russo said. "This was done months ago."

Russo said he sympathizes with the victims and survivors of the Parkland shooting, but can't be biased as a business owner. However, unlike last year's fundraiser, Russo is demanding that there be no guns or ammunition on-site.

The NRA did not respond to a request for comment.