Florida Republican candidate to give away semi-automatic rifle

A Republican candidate for Congress in Florida has launched a contest on his Facebook campaign page to give away a semi-automatic rifle on Independence Day.
Greg Evers announced the giveaway barely a week after a shooting at a gay nightclub killed 49 people in Orlando, which is about five hours drive from the Florida Panhandle congressional district Evers seeks to represent.
"With terrorism incidents on the rise, both at home and abroad, protecting our constitutional rights has never been more important," Evers said. "With all that's happening in the world today, I've never felt stronger about the importance of the second amendment in protecting our homeland than I do now."

Evers has served in the Florida Legislature since 2001, including the Senate the past six years. The National Rifle Association has given him an A-plus grade for the past 15 years.
The NRA says the second amendment to the U.S. Constitution gives Americans a broad right to bear arms. Advocates of stricter gun control say the amendment doesn't mean citizens should have the right to own assault weapons.
The custom-built AR-15 rifle, which the Evers campaign says is the "Homeland Defender" collector's edition, will be given away to one randomly chosen person who has liked and shared Evers' page or signed up on his campaign website.

It is open only to adults in the district. The winner will be selected on July 4 and must pass all required background and security checks.

The rifle was made in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, and displays the Second Amendment on a metal plate on the right side near the trigger guard.
Evers added that the giveaway had been in the works and that an announcement had been held until now.
"I've always been a supporter of the Second Amendment. Terrorism and ISIS is a constant threat," Evers said, mentioning the Islamic State group.
Evers is one of five candidates running in the August 30 Republican primary for the seat being vacated by Republican Jeff Miller. Evers' chief rival is state Rep. Matt Gaetz, who has also received an A-plus grade from the NRA.

"This is a campaign gimmick. Instead of giving away something that benefits one, he should have found a way to make all Floridians safer," Gaetz said.