At Hoffman’s Gun Center in Newington, they proudly proclaim “guns for the good guys.” But a controversial flyer posted to the store’s Facebook page has the business facing public backlash.

The flyer reads, “Free Guns for CT. Illegals… so they can protect their family on their perilous journey to and from the border and to keep thieves away from their food stamps and all the other freebies they so richly deserve.” It also features a razor wire-topped border wall with an image of President Trump standing guard.

“Why post that?” wondered Jesus Morales Sanchez of immigrant rights advocacy group Unidad Latina en Accion. He called it very hurtful.

“I mean, I simply thought it was ridiculous. Mocking that experience, mocking that pain, mocking that hurt, all that trauma, it’s beyond unacceptable and it’s appalling,” he explained.

We tried to get an explanation from Hoffman’s. Instead, we were told to leave. Meanwhile, the flyer, now deleted, is still causing drama around town.

Related Content: Budget talks resuming amid pessimism over border differences

“You shouldn’t even put it up,” said Damion Kelly of Hartford. “You should just never put it up.”

“I think it’s very bad, offensive for everybody, even for me, and I’m a United States citizen,” Puerto Rico native Pedro Rodriguez said.

“I feel like it’s racist,” Marielis Laboy of Newington told us.

News 8’s Mario Boone asked Morales Sanchez if he has a direct message to Hoffman’s for posting the flyer.

“If you got nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all,” he said.

We should note it doesn’t appear the gun store ever actually gave away free guns to any undocumented immigrants.

State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) has called for the business to apologize.