PISCATAWAY -- As debate continues over a controversial North Carolina law that bars transgender people from using public bathrooms for the gender they identify with, Gov. Chris Christie said he hasn't read the law but he'd be unlikely to support a similar move in New Jersey.

"It strikes me as not something I'd sign here in New Jersey," the Republican governor said during a news conference at Rutgers University on Friday. "But I don't know all the specifics of it. So I don't want to assail another piece of legislation I haven't even read."

"But the sense of what I've read from what you all have written about it is that it's not something I would support here," Christie added.

The governor was asked the question a day after Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump -- whom Christie endorsed -- brought the issue back to the headlines when he told NBC's "Today" show that he doesn't support the law.

Trump said transgender people should use "whatever bathroom they feel is appropriate."

That drew the ire of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, Trump's top rival for the GOP nomination. Cruz responded that the business mogul believes "men should be able to go into the girls' bathrooms if they want to."

The law -- signed by North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory, a Republican, last month -- has been a lightning rod of controversy.

Many Republicans support it and similar laws have been proposed in other states.

But many performers have boycotted the state over the law, including New Jersey rocker Bruce Springsteen. Plus, some companies have said they will not expand in or move to North Carolina as a result of the law.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.