JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee — A Johnson City church said it was giving away an AR-15 to celebrate Independence Day, according to NBC affiliate WCYB.
Todd Holmes, pastor of The River of Tri-Cities Church, said the giveaway was meant to be in honor of the U.S. Constitution and the Second Amendment.
Holmes also said he believes the church is taking appropriate precautions by making sure the winner passes a background check.
"I know what our rights are as citizens of the United States and I know what are rights are as citizens of Heaven also, and I'm not an American nationalist or whatever people want to try to label me as," Holmes said. "I'm a Christian and I happen to own firearms and I like to be able to have them. I like them for hunting. I like them for self-defense and so that's the reason we are doing what we are doing."
The church has had several raffles in the past, giving away cars, boats, and tickets to NASCAR events.