A Missouri car dealer is combating the fall in US vehicle sales by offering a free assault rifle with every truck sold.

Boss of Max Motors Mark Muller, whose business slogan is “God, Guns, Guts, and American Pick-up Trucks,” said he had been overwhelmed by the response.

“It’s extremely successful. There is a lot of worry about crime, we have a methamphetamine problem around here and people just want to protect themselves.

“And what could be better than supporting American products in these trouble times?”

Muller, who only sells American vehicles, is offering a gift certificate - only to be used at a licensed dealer – for a Kalashnikov AK-47 worth $450 (£320).