Sign up with Dish Network and receive a free gun?

It sounds like a carefully crafted punchline to a “red state” joke, but when you live in Hamilton, Montana, it’s no laughing matter—it’s a money-maker. Steve Strand, the owner of the local Radio Shack, has been offering his potential satellite television customers this peculiar perk since October and he says it’s tripled his business.

Customers who sign up for select packages with Dish Network through Strand’s store receive a coupon for a free pistol or shotgun, and for the required background check—state and local ordinances still apply, of course. Customers who aren’t interested in receiving a firearm can opt to pick a $50 Pizza Hut gift card, instead. Hopefully none of those who do choose the gun will keep it in the bedside drawer.

Strand said it took a bit of haggling to get Dish Network to give its blessing to the promotion, and that he intends to begin offering the same with select DIRECTV packages sometime soon. No word on what the latter company thinks of his creative giveaway.

Image by Cavell, from Wikimedia Commons.

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