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An advertisement showing the guns offered in the "Stop The Gun Control Madness Gun Giveaway."

(Firearms Police Coalition)

TRENTON — There's a big hitch with a contest sponsored by a New Jersey-based gun's right group where contestants can win a free firearm if they register their opposition to gun-control bills on Gov. Chris Christie's desk.

One of the three guns featured in the promotional advertisements is illegal to own in New Jersey.

It’s the Sig Sauer M400 enhanced rifle, which comes with a 30-round magazine, a threaded barrel and a folding stock — all prohibited as part of the state’s restrictive gun laws.

"This is unconscionable to be offering an illegal assault gun made to kill as many people as people, as quickly as possible, in order to get e-mails to get Gov. Christie to oppose gun control legislation," said Bryan Miller, executive director of Heeding God’s Call, a faith-based gun-control group.

Frank Fiamingo, the founder and president the New Jersey Second Amendment Society, which is promoting the giveaway, said winners can select from the two other Jersey-legal guns or get a state-compliant version of the Sig Sauer M400. Customizing guns to fit New Jersey’s gun laws is common practice, he said.

The contest is open to anyone in the country, not just New Jersey residents, and the rules state the giveaway will comply with local laws, Fiamingo said.

The inclusion of the banned gun in the promotional material highlights what Fiamingo says is wrong with the state’s gun laws. He noted that many accessories, such as a pistol grip or a threaded barrel can make a gun illegal in New Jersey. Even a bayonet holder is prohibited, he said.

"You really have to ask yourself how many drive-by bayonettings have there been," Fiamingo said.

Founded in 2010, the New Jersey Second Amendment Society has joined with the national Firearms Policy Coalition to promote the "Stop The Gun Control Madness Giveaway." Contestants must register with the national organization and send the group’s form letter to Christie for a chance to win one of three guns.

The contest ends Wednesday, and the drawing will likely take place Aug. 14, according to the posted rules. Officials with the Firearms Policy Coalition, which is running the contest, did not return requests for comment.

The flurry of gun legislation in New Jersey and in Washington was touched off by the shooting deaths of 20 elementary-school children in Newtown, Conn. in December.

New Jersey Democrats responded with a package of bills that aims to curb gun violence by strengthening background checks and penalties while giving law enforcement and the public more tools to combat straw purchasing, where people legally buy guns and sell them to criminals.

Christie — who is out of the state — has given little indication as to what he will do. So far, he has acted on one bill, vetoing a measure to ban the state pension fund from investing in companies that manufacture or sell assault rifles for civilian use. That leaves 15 bills awaiting his action, which is likely to take place next month.

News of the prohibited version of the gun being promoted in the giveaway drew quick criticism from Assemblyman Lou Greenwald (D-Camden), a leading voice in the gun control debate in New Jersey.

"Those who are opposed to our gun violence prevention bills certainly have the right to have their voices heard, but enticing people to do so in this way is irresponsible," Greenwald said. "If offering a gun as a contest prize isn’t illegal, perhaps we should look into legislation."

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