Bergenfield police union cancels plan to raffle off semi-automatic rifle

A Bergen County police union has canceled a raffle that listed a semi-automatic rifle and a shotgun as prizes.
Bergenfield police say a state statute prohibits giving away weapons as prizes and the event has been canceled.
NorthJersey.com reports Detective Dave Tortora, president of Bergenfield PBA Local 309, said Thursday that the firearms raffle was a way to help his 46-member organization raise money. Anyone who purchased tickets will be refunded, according to the police.
The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office became involved after a NorthJersey.com reporter was seeking comment about the legality of the raffle. Tortora apologized in his statement Thursday.
The union was offering two guns as a raffle prize to help fund a scholarship for Bergenfield High School students.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.