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Assault Weapons To Be Raffled Off At Controversial Fundraiser In Pasadena

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Opponents of Maryland's new gun legislation are refusing to roll over. It is expected to go to referendum.

As political reporter Pat Warren explains, Anne Arundel County Delegate Don Dwyer is planning a controversial fundraiser.

Delegate Don Dwyer quoted the Declaration of Independence at a gun rights rally last month.

Dwyer is in pursuit of overturning new gun control legislation with a gun rights and liberty barbeque, where he'll raffle off an AK-47 and an AR-15--a version of a weapon used in the massacre in Newtown.

And what would he say to the parents of the children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School about this in-your-face kind of stand?

"I would simply explain to them that I'm sorry for the tragedy that happened to their family. And I am, I truly am," said Dwyer. "But they've been misled into believing that somehow it was the firearm that committed the crime. It was a human being."

Gun control advocates argue that it's common sense to keep weapons that can do so much damage out of human hands. Dwyer's supporters think the opposite.

"It's a civil right," a man said.

The raffle is May 11 in Pasadena.

"Don Dwyer says and does what he believes whether people like it or not. And if they don't like they can un-elect me. Fortunately for me, I continue to get elected because my constituents like the fact that I'm willing to fight," Dwyer said.

Dwyer isn't the only lawmaker who may be held accountable for his vote on gun control. The entire General Assembly is up for re-election next year.

Delegate Dwyer still faces charges for a powerboat crash in August that injured five people. He admits to drinking before the accident.

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