In the latest Middle America challenge to gun control advocates, conservative commentator "Joe the Plumber" is raffling off a free AR-15 military-style rifle.

Joe Wurzelbacher said his raffle is both to herald "this magnificient rifle" and challenge those who want it banned because they feel it is an "assault weapon or weapon of mass destruction."

The website of the conservative made famous in the 2008 presidential election features a picture of the rifle and details of the contest. The rifle shoots 5.56 mm bullets, essentially the round used by NATO, and includes magazines that hold 30 rounds. Ever since Washington and state gun control advocates have pushed for renewal of the assault weapons ban, the AR-15-style guns have become extremely popular and are now hard to find.

Sign Up for the Paul Bedard newsletter!

Please enter your email address below to begin receiving the Paul Bedard newsletter.

You must enter a valid email address in the field above!

Thank you for signing up for the Paul Bedard newsletter! You should receive your first newsletter very soon.

We're sorry, there was an error processing your newsletter signup. Please click here to visit our Newsletter Signup Center to register for this newsletter.

Below is his website announcement:

Despite what national news commentators say, the AR 15 is NOT an "assault weapon" or "weapon of mass destruction."

In honor of this magnificent rifle, JoeForAmerica.com is giving away a new AR 15 to the lucky man or woman who wins this drawing.

If you support Americans' right to own the AR 15 and want a chance to win this one, simply register below by submitting your email address. That's it. Good luck!

- Joe Wurzelbacher (Joe the Plumber)

Sign Up to Win!

Entries must be received no later than midnight on March 31, 2013.

After submitting your entry, you will begin receiving complimentary updates from Joe for America!

Contest Rules:

No purchase necessary. Contest void where prohibited by law. One entry per person. To enter this website's contest fill out the online entry form before midnight on the date listed above. Chances of winning determined by the number of entrants. Mail-in entries will not be accepted. Duplicate entries will be discarded. Incomplete entries will be disqualified. To be eligible to win, entrants must be U. S. citizens, residents of one of the fifty United States or the District of Columbia, and be at least 18 years of age. The prize, as described above, will be awarded to a single winner as the only prize in this contest. The winner will be selected in a random drawing held on or after the deadline listed above. The winner will be notified by e-mail and must submit a signed copy of a Federal Firearms License from his or her receiving dealer. The gun will be shipped to the Federal Firearms Licensee designated by the winner. The winner must comply with all federal, state and local laws, and is responsible for all taxes and all amounts charged by the designated Federal Firearms Licensee for receiving the gun and/or processing the transfer thereof to the winner. May the odds be ever in your favor.