Ford asks car dealership to pull ad for free shotgun, Bible, and American flag with vehicle purchase — and Alabama outfit complies

One might say an Alabama car dealership's advertisement for a free 12-gauge shotgun, Bible, and American flag with every vehicle purchase through July 31 went just a little too viral.

Indeed, after Chatom Ford's patriotic offer hit the national news, the dealership said Wednesday that Ford itself intervened and asked the outfit to end the advertisement.

"We were running a promotion celebrating this country's independence. Ford Motor Company has asked us to stop running the advertisement," Chatom Ford said on Facebook. "They manufacture the products we are franchised to sell, so we are complying with their request. We appreciate everyone's support. All the phone calls and messages were so greatly appreciated. We will fulfill all commitments we made to our customers."

What's the background?

The pulled ad read, "GOD, GUNS, AND FREEDOM" and said the trio of gifts with car purchases was an "opportunity for us to celebrate our independence."

The dealership added that all those eligible to receive the gifts must be 18 or older, have valid identification, be allowed to legally purchase a vehicle, and have passed all checks associated with owning a gun "in state of residency."

Koby Palmer, general sales manager, told WOFL-TV that Chatom Ford doesn't keep guns at the dealership "nor do we give guns directly to our customers. We provide certificates that they present to the licensed firearms dealer. If the customers do not want or can not purchase a gun, they can use the certificate for something else."

Palmer added to Fox News that the dealership partnered with certified firearm dealers in Alabama and Mississippi, and that those dealers conduct the background checks.

He also told the network that the dealership's sales team got the idea for the gifts because they reflect the town's values.

"It's a safe community," Palmer told Fox News. "They're very proud of their country, and almost everybody here likes to hunt."

He also told USA Today that Chatom Ford sold five vehicles since the promotion launched and that "in a small town, business is booming."

TheBlaze's efforts Wednesday to reach Ford Motor Company media relations for comment on the pulled ad were unsuccessful.