OTTAWA — The Conservatives are launching a publicity blitz to help kill the federal gun registry.

The Tories are targetting specific ridings, aimed at twisting the arm of key MPs who might give them the votes they need to eliminate the registry.

They are buying radio ads in largely rural areas, urging listeners to flood their MPs with calls and emails to vote for a Conservtive MP's bill next week.

The ads stress the importance of protecting the rural way of life.

With the gun registry up for a free vote, the Tories need only a handful of MPs to switch sides in order for the private member's bill to pass.

Opponents of the registry complain that it unfairly hassles honest hunters and owners of long guns, while doing nothing to stop criminals.

Its supporters -- including prominent police groups -- call it a valuable database for law enforcement and question why people should be forced to register their dogs, but not their lethal weapons.