For the first time in nearly 40 years, Redwood Elementary will not raffle off a gun at the school’s annual Turkey Shoot fundraiser.

&#8220It’s always been a gun, a grill and a fish cooker,” said Kim Newcome, Redwood Booster Club president. &#8220But you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.”

The change comes at the ethical discretion of Dr. James Price, superintendent of the Vicksburg Warren School District.

Price said he got a legal opinion on the matter, and while it’s legal for a school district to raffle a firearm, it’s not an appropriate endorsement from the district.

&#8220As a district policy I don’t think we need to be endorsing giving something like that away,” Price said.

The issue came to his attention during the planning of the Warren Central High School band fundraiser several weeks ago, Price said. The band booster club wanted to raffle a shotgun and rifle, but Price denied the request after several parents voiced concern.

&#8220I wanted to be fair across the board,” he said.

Newcome, who has been helping organize the Turkey Shoot for seven years, said the Booster Club understands Price’s decision, but last-minute adjustments have had to be made to accommodate the changes.

&#8220We know he has to make calls like that when there’s controversy,” she said. &#8220But we had to reorder and reprint all the raffle tickets.”

Instead of firearms, this year’s raffle prizes at the Turkey Shoot will be $500 cash for first prize, a gas grill for second prize and a fish cooker for third.

Price said safety concerns are always addressed at the annual fundraiser.

&#8220No loaded weapons are allowed on the premises, and we supply the bullets for the turkey shoot. The event is always well-supervised by plenty of law enforcement,” he said.

The event usually features a carnival for children, but Newcome said because construction of the new wing of classrooms is set to start Monday, this year’s carnival has been canceled.