Brian Nieves, Missouri State Senator, Plans Gun Giveaway

GOP Lawmaker Plans Assault Weapon Giveaway
|
Open Image Modal
Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Kirkwood, left, confers with Sen. Brian Nieves, R-Washington, during the first day of the special legislative session Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011, in Jefferson City, Mo. Gov. Jay Nixon called the special session so lawmakers in both chambers could overhaul Missouri's tax incentives for businesses. Sen. Bill Stouffer, R-Napton, is in the background, Sen. Will Kraus, R-Lee's Summit, is center foreground, and Sen. Joseph Keavny, D-St. Louis, is at right, foreground. (AP Photo/Kelley McCall)

A Republican state senator in Missouri is planning to give away an assault weapon during a clay pigeon shooting fundraiser next month.

State Senate Majority Whip Brian Nieves (R-Washington) plans to give away a new Sig Sauer 516 Patrol AR-15 as part of his second annual clay shooting fundraiser on Oct. 12, according to a Facebook invitation for the event. Different versions of the AR-15 assault weapon were used in both last year's shooting at a movie theater in Aurora, Colo., and at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. Nieves, one of the most conservative lawmakers in the tea party-controlled Missouri state legislature, is currently pushing for lawmakers to override Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon's veto of legislation nullifying federal gun laws in the state.

Nieves' fundraiser starts at $25 to attend lunch only, and costs $100 for those wanting to eat and shoot. There are also more expensive sponsorships available, according to the invitation posted on Nieves' Facebook page. The highest sponsorship is "sniper level," which costs $1,500.

$1,500 Sniper Level Sponsor: Four Shooter Packages, Six Station Sponsorships and SIX of only Fifty Chances ($100 each) at the Sig Sauer 516 PatrolAR15! (Sniper Package is a $1,900 Value!

The invite includes a note that even more discounts could be available to Second Amendment supporters.

P.S. - If you are an actual Constituent of the 26th District OR a True Blue Lover of our 2nd Amendment... You "May" be eligible for special pricing!!

P.P.S.S. - Somebody will be going home from this even [sic] with a Brand New Sig Sauer 516 Patrol!! Look it up folks - It's a Top of the line AR!!

Nieves is the second Missouri lawmaker to give away an AR-15 recently. In August 2012, state Rep. John McCaherty (R-High Ridge) held a fundraiser, scheduled prior to the Colorado shooting, during which a lucky attendee was able to win the gun.

Sean Soendker Nicholson, executive director of Progress Missouri, questioned Nieves' decision to do the giveaway just days before the state's gun veto vote. He noted that law enforcement officers have urged lawmakers to uphold Nixon's veto of the law, which would not allow the enforcement of federal gun laws that infringe on Second Amendment rights.

"The idea that there is a sponsor level known as 'sniper' is troubling," Soendker Nicholson said. "Snipers are people killing people. It is terrifying and tragic."

Nieves did not return messages left at both his legislative and campaign offices. A man listed on the Facebook invitation as "Tim" said "it is a class of sponsor" when reached by phone on Monday. When asked further questions about the giveaway, he said Nieves would be best prepared to answer them.

Nieves has raised eyebrows in the past for a series of reasons, including a Facebook post in July where he called liberalism a "mental disorder." And during a bizarre April email exchange with a constituent who asked to be removed from an email list, the state senator accused the person of being in love with him.

In 2010, Nieves was accused of assault by Shawn Bell, the campaign manager for the candidate Nieves defeated in the GOP state Senate primary. Nieves denied the accusation, and the Franklin County prosecutor did not file criminal charges, citing a lack of evidence.

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

U.S. State Capitol Buildings
Alabama State Capitol (Montgomery, Ala.)(01 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Dave Martin) (credit:AP)
Alaska State Capitol (Juneau, Alaska)(02 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011. (AP Photo/Chris Miller) (credit:AP)
Arizona State Capitol (Phoenix)(03 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Friday, April 23, 2010. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images) (credit:Getty )
Arkansas State Capitol (Little Rock, Ark.)(04 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Danny Johnston) (credit:AP)
California State Capitol (Sacramento, Calif.)(05 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2006. (Photo by David Paul Morris/Getty Images) (credit:Getty File )
Colorado State Capitol (Denver)(06 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2006. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) (credit:Getty File)
Connecticut State Capitol (Hartford, Conn.)(07 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 1999. (AP Photo/Bob Child) (credit:AP)
Delaware State Capitol (Dover, Del.)(08 of50)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Alamy)
Florida State Capitol (Tallahassee, Fla.)(09 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Monday, Jan. 3, 2011. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (credit:AP)
Georgia State Capitol (Atlanta)(10 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Tuesday, November 13, 2007. (Photo by Jessica McGowan/Getty Images) (credit:Getty File)
Hawaii State Capitol (Honolulu)(11 of50)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Alamy)
Idaho State Capitol (Boise, Idaho)(12 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Monday, Jan. 14, 2008. (Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) (credit:Getty File)
Illinois State Capitol (Springfield, Ill.)(13 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman) (credit:AP )
Indiana State Capitol (Indianapolis)(14 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) (credit:Getty File)
Iowa State Capitol (Des Moines, Iowa)(15 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2011. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (credit:Getty File)
Kansas State Capitol (Topeka, Kan.)(16 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Thursday, April 15, 2010. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) (credit:AP)
Kentucky State Capitol (Frankfort, Ky.)(17 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Wednesday, April 12, 2006. (AP Photo/James Crisp) (credit:AP)
Louisiana State Capitol (Baton Rouge, La.)(18 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Monday, Jan. 14, 2008. (Matthew HINTON/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty File)
Maine State Capitol (Augusta, Me.)(19 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Monday, Oct. 17, 2011. (AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach) (credit:AP)
Maryland State House (Annapolis, Md.) (20 of50)
Open Image Modal
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) (credit:Getty File)
Massachusetts State House (Boston)(21 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007. (Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images) (credit:Getty File)
Michigan State Capitol (Lansing, Mich.)(22 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Wednesday, April 13, 2011. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images) (credit:Getty File)
Minnesota State Capitol (St. Paul, Minn.)(23 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Friday, July 1, 2011. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) (credit:Getty File)
Mississippi State Capitol (Jackson, Miss.)(24 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Thursday, June 10, 1999. (AP Photo/Rogelio Solis) (credit:AP)
Missouri State Capitol (Jefferson City, Mo.)(25 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Friday, Oct. 16, 2000. (Photo credit should read ORLIN WAGNER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty File)
Montana State Capitol (Helena, Mont.)(26 of50)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Alamy)
Nebraska State Capitol (Lincoln, Neb.)(27 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 1998. (AP Photo/S.E. McKee) (credit:AP)
Nevada State Capitol (Carson City, Nev.)(28 of50)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Education Images, UIG / Getty Images)
New Hampshire State House (Concord, N.H.)(29 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Friday, Dec. 28, 2001. (Todd Warshaw//Pool/Getty Images (credit:Getty File)
New Jersey State House (Trenton, N.J.)(30 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Friday, Aug. 13, 2004. (Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images) (credit:Getty File)
New Mexico State Capitol (Santa Fe, N.M.)(31 of50)
Open Image Modal
(credit:Alamy)
New York State Capitol (Albany, N.Y.)(32 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Sunday, March 16, 2008. (Photo by Daniel Barry/Getty Images) (credit:Getty File)
North Carolina State Capitol (Raleigh, N.C.)(33 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured in 1930. (AP Photo) (credit:AP)
North Dakota State Capitol (Bismarck, N.D.)(34 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Thursday, April 19, 2012. (AP Photo/Dale Wetzel) (credit:AP)
Ohio Statehouse (Columbus, Ohio)(35 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Tuesday, March 8, 2011. (Photo by Mike Munden/Getty Images) (credit:Getty File)
Oklahoma State Capitol (Oklahoma City)(36 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) (credit:AP)
Oregon State Capitol (Salem, Ore.)(37 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Friday, May 20, 2011. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, file) (credit:AP)
Pennsylvania State Capitol (Harrisburg, Pa.)(38 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Thursday, June 28, 2012. (BRIGITTE DUSSEAU/AFP/GettyImages) (credit:Getty File)
Rhode Island State House (Providence, R.I.)(39 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 1945. (AP Photo) (credit:AP)
South Carolina State House (Columbia, S.C.)(40 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Monday, Jan. 21, 2008. (Photo by Chris Hondros/Getty Images) (credit:Getty File)
South Dakota State Capitol (Pierre, S.D.)(41 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012. (AP Photo/Doug Dreyer) (credit:AP )
Tennessee State Capitol (Nashville, Tenn.)(42 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 1941. (AP Photo) (credit:AP)
Texas State Capitol (Austin, Texas)(43 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011. (MIRA OBERMAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty File)
Utah State Capitol (Salt Lake City)(44 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Thursday, March 15, 2001. (GEORGE FREY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty File)
Vermont State House (Montpelier, Vt.)(45 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on April 9, 1953. (AP Photo/Francis C. Curtin) (credit:AP)
Virginia State Capitol (Richmond, Va.)(46 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Wednesday, May 2, 2007. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty File)
Washington State Capitol (Olympia, Wash.)(47 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Rachel La Corte) (credit:AP)
West Virginia State Capitol (Charleston, W.V.)(48 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on July 2, 2010. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty File)
Wisconsin State Capitol (Madison, Wis.)(49 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011. (KAREN BLEIER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty File)
Wyoming State Capitol (Cheyenne, Wyo.)(50 of50)
Open Image Modal
Pictured on Tuesday, March 6, 2001. (Photo by Michael Smith/Newsmakers) (credit:Getty File)