A Republican candidate for Congress in Alabama's 2nd District is giving away an AR-15 rifle.

Rich Hobson of Montgomery, the longtime aide to Roy Moore, announced the giveaway today, saying he wanted to draw attention to the importance of the Second Amendment.

"In the modern debate over our Second Amendment rights, too often, the defenders of that amendment stress rights for hunters and sportsmen," Hobson said on the website announcing the contest. "But the Second Amendment's language points to a greater burden of every household to be prepared to defend this country if necessary.



"Because of that, I believe that it is right and proper for every family in the country to own an AR-15 Defense Rifle. Fortunately, we have an outstanding professional military standing between us and the bad guys, but that does not relieve us of the responsibility to be prepared in a worst case scenario."

Hobson, who managed Moore's failed campaign for the U.S. Senate, is running against U.S. Rep. Martha Roby of Montgomery, former Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright, state Rep. Barry Moore of Enterprise and Tommy Amason of Prattville in the June 5 Republican primary.

Tabitha Isner of Montgomery and Audri Scott Williams of Cottondale are seeking the Democratic nomination in the district, which extends from central Alabama across the southeastern portion of the state.

The winner of the AR-15 will be determined in a random drawing on Memorial Day, the Hobson campaign announced.

Southern Outdoor Sports in Dothan will handle the necessary background checks and other legal requirements, the Hobson campaign said.