A group of parents that is raffling off a gun to support a high school graduation celebration in Aroostook County is getting backlash online.

WGME-TV reported that the group is raffling off a 9mm handgun that a parent donated to raise money for Project Graduation at Hodgdon High School. Michelle Crane, a parent who owns MACS Trading Post in Houlton, posted details of the raffle on the store’s Facebook page last month.

Crane said that all laws apply in the raffle, and that the winner must pass a background check. She said the group has raffled off guns in the past.

Some Facebook users say the raffle is insensitive to the families of students killed in recent school shootings in Florida and Maryland.

Principal Mary Harbison says she doesn’t supervise Project Graduation so she won’t weigh in on the issue.

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