The Washington State Republican Party plans to auction an AR-15 rifle at its annual fundraising dinner this weekend.

The popular semi-automatic weapon was used by Adam Lanza to kill 20 young children and six adults at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut last year.

Despite the high profile mass shooting, State GOP Chairman Kirby Wilbur apparently believes the rifle’s reputation hasn’t been significantly tarnished. He told The Seattle Times that he was aware of the controversy, but thought auctioning the rifle was appropriate.

“It’s also the best-selling weapon in America,” he said. “I own two, they have never killed an innocent person.”