AR-15s Become the Campaign Accessory of 2014

At least two Senate hopefuls are offering sweepstakes to give away an AR-15 in an effort to ramp up support for their campaigns.

The first to launch a gun giveaway was South Carolina state Sen. Lee Bright, who’s challenging Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) in the GOP primary.

Bright faces competition from the conservative right in the primary as well, as businessman Richard Cash, attorney Bill Connor and author Nancy Mace are all declared against Graham as well. In a Gravis Marketing survey at the beginning of December, Graham led the pack with 54 percent and Bright was the closest competitor with 10 percent.

“President Obama wants it banned. But now’s your chance to win an AR-15 rifle!” Bright says in his contest announcement.

“Today, my campaign for the U.S. Senate is conducting a giveaway for a brand-new Palmetto Armory AR-15 and one lucky Second Amendment Supporter will be the winner,” he continued, noting that the drawing date is Feb. 15, 2014.

The winner must be 18 years of age or older to be eligible for the giveaway “and will have to pass a background check as required by law.” If the first winner doesn’t pass, another name will be drawn.

Now, Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.), hoping to fill the seat of retiring Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), is offering an AR-15, too.

Broun is one of eight Republicans fighting for the chance to face the likely Democratic candidate, Michelle Nunn. Among the GOP pack are two more congressmen, Reps. Jack Kingston and Phil Gingrey.

“Barack Obama would like nothing more than to ban the AR-15 rifle – and that’s exactly why I’ve decided to give away a free AR-15 to one of my fellow 2nd amendment supporters,” Broun says on his campaign page. “That’s right, add your name to be automatically entered to win a semi-automatic AR-15.”

The deadline for Broun’s contest is Feb. 27.

The fine print of his sweepstakes rules release the congressman “from any and all injuries, liability, losses and damages of any kind resulting from their participating in the Sweepstakes or their acceptance, use or misuse of a prize including, without limitation, personal injury, death and property damage.”

The next best thing to giving away a gun in these campaigns is posting pictures of yourself at the range, which Graham does with regularity.