Alabama Auto Dealer Gives Away Guns, Bibles and Flags for Each Vehicle Sold

An automobile dealership in Alabama has promised to give away a 12-gauge shotgun, an American flag and a Bible for the purchase of any new or used vehicle on the lot through the end of July.

The social media feed from Chatom Ford states it is celebrating America's independence by offering these gifts in exchange for buying a vehicle. A valid ID and background will be required, though.

"Hi all this is Koby Palmer with Chatom Ford in Chatom, Alabama," Palmer said on the Facebook video. "I just want to reach out to everybody in the area and let y'all know we'll be celebrating July 4th a little bit differently this year.

"Between now and the end of July, everyone that comes into our dealership and purchases a new, pre-owned or certified pre-owned car, truck or SUV, not only are they going to get the great deals and service that we provide here, they're also going to get a Bible, an American flag and, also, a 12-gauge shotgun."

Palmer placed a Bible upon the top of the tailgate of a truck that has an American flag draped across the tailgate. He reached for the shotgun and pulled the slide back and forth as if appearing to chamber the gun so it's ready to fire.

Palmer told Newsweek on Tuesday the promotion isn't meant to make any political statements, nor is their store stocked with guns.

"We don't want anyone to get the wrong idea. It's not like we're just walking around and handing out guns," Palmer said.

He said management and sales staff came up with the idea based on the values of their local community.

"We talked about what our community is about, and what are things they stand for," Palmer told Newsweek. "It's a safe community. They're very proud of their country and almost everybody here likes to hunt."

Here's how it works. When someone purchases a vehicle, they get their New King James Version Bible and American flag at the dealership. Palmer said the dealership has partnerships with firearm affiliates in both Mississippi and Alabama, so the new car owner would get a certificate to take to the gun affiliate, who performs the background check. If and when the background check comes in clean, they get a Hatfield 12-gauge pump-action shot gun.

"Let's say someone wants a smaller gun, then they can get a 20-gauge if they want," Palmer added.

Palmer said the promotion isn't forced on anyone, and that if no one wants any of the promotional items, that it's not an issue.

Chatom, a town of 1,211, is located in the far west part of the state, 12 miles from the Mississippi state line and an hour north of Mobile.

The dealership released the Facebook video on Friday, June 21 and Palmer said the feedback he's received so far has been positive.