POSTED: 9:26 pm CDT May 20, 2008
UPDATED: 10:30 pm CDT May 20, 2008

BUTLER, Mo. -- A local car dealer is holding a controversial promotion involving guns.

Max Motors in Butler is offering anyone who buys a car the choice of $250 in gas or a free semi-automatic handgun.

"Like I say, it's a choice -- protection or gas," said Walter Moore with Max Motors.

Moore said he came up with the gas or guns promotion.

"We got high gas prices, theft, carjackings, innocent people getting hurt," Moore told KMBC's Chris Nagus.

So far, the handgun is a more popular choice.

"Right now were running 80 percent toward the gun," Moore said.

"Love guns, we all need to have guns," said Jerry Hertzog, who was buying a new truck. "Guns or gas or fuel, I'll take the gun anytime."

But the idea isn't popular with everyone. One viewer told KMBC that he believes the promotion is dangerous.

"I don't understand what's the bad idea. Telling people they have a right to protect themselves," Moore said.

Moore said most of his customers already own weapons.

"I get in a vehicle to bid a trade, there are guns in the seats, guns in the back windows. Everybody has a gun -- there's no backlash," Moore said.

Moore said the dealership will hand the customer a certificate to get the gun, but you must pass a background check.

The local police chief said he is OK with the promotion as long as the weapons aren't handed out at the dealership.