Candidates for Montana's special election to replace Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, launched combative ads showcasing their support for gun rights on Thursday.

Democrat and country music singer Rob Quist is running against Republican Greg Gianforte, a millionaire businessman who unsuccessfully ran for governor in 2016.

After receiving criticism for comments made in January suggesting he would be open to a national gun registry, Quist's campaign launched a video ad, "Defend," on Thursday showing him in a field holding a rifle.

"I won't stand by while a millionaire from New Jersy tries to attack my Montana values," the Democrat said just before shooting a television screen.

Just hours later, Gianforte responded with an ad claiming Quist wanted to establish a national gun registry loaded with constituents personal information.



"Some folks just don't get it. Our Second Amendment rights are not up for negotiation," Gianforte said while shooting a computer screen with a shotgun.

Following the congressional special election in Kansas, and anticipated June runoff in Georgia, attention has shifted to Montana's upcoming special election which is set to take place on May 25.