Pima County GOP Officials Raffle Same Type of Gun Used in Tucson Shooting

Local Democrats say they are appalled that a fundraiser in Arizona offered by Republican officials is giving residents a chance to win the same type of gun used in the attempted assassination of Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.

In its Aug. 26 online newsletter, eTracks, the Pima County Republican Party offers readers the opportunity to get their hands on a Glock 23 handgun.

"That's right, for just 10 dollars this gun could be yours," the newsletter reads. "Tickets will be for sale at your Pima GOP Headquarters … You can also purchase tickets at Pima GOP events."

A total of 125 tickets will be sold and the lucky winner will be awarded the .40-caliber handgun at the first Pima GOP event after the tickets are sold out, according to the newsletter. The firearm comes complete with three 12-round magazines, adjustable grips and a case.

The raffle comes less than eight months after Jared Lee Loughner, 22, allegedly shot six people to death and wounded 13, including U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, outside a supermarket in Tucson, Ariz., using a Glock 19 handgun.

Pima County Democratic Party Chair Jeff Rogers told FoxNews.com he found the raffle to be wholly inappropriate.

"I think it reflects a rather stunning lack of judgment and insensitivity to raffle off the same type of weapon that was used in the Tucson shooting spree," Rogers said Thursday. "(It) mocks the events of that tragic day. Why not substitute an iPad or something a little less insensitive?"

Glock is one of the best-selling guns in America, and the Glock 22 is a top seller to the U.S. military and police forces around the country. According to the manufacturer, a Glock 23 is a .40 caliber weapon while a Glock 19 is a 9 mm. Several magazines of different size are available for each, and both have three safety devices on them.

"It doesn't go off unless you want it to go off," a Glock representative said.

Mike Shaw, interim chairman of the Pima County Republican Party, could not be immediately reached for comment, and calls seeking comment from Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., were not immediately returned.

In May, Loughner was found mentally incompetent to stand trial. He was later sent to a federal prison hospital in Missouri. A legal battle over whether Loughner can be forcibly medicated now continues in a San Francisco courtroom.

According to U.S. crime statistics collected by the FBI, in 2009, 6,452 handguns were used in murders. Arizona ranked 15th in gun murders in the nation.