Gov. Nikki Haley channeled a real-life version of "A Christmas Story" this year when she found a pistol under her family's Christmas tree.

The South Carolina Republican shared her excitement about the gift, a Beretta PX4 Storm, on social media, posting the following message on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter:

Our family had a wonderful Christmas together! I must have been good Santa gave me a Beretta PX4 Storm. http://t.co/QtRbyFU6CT

— Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) December 26, 2013

"Heralded by many as the ultimate in balance, feel and proportion, the Compact is well suited for concealed carry yet perfectly at home in a duty holster. Its compact and controllable design accommodates plainclothes operations, home defense, or a day at the range," the Beretta website notes. "With a cold hammer forged barrel, for precision and the Px4 family's rotary barrel system to reduce recoil for faster follow up shots, the Compact is fast and accurate."

The pistol was a gift from Haley's husband, Michael, and she "plans to test it out at the range," her spokesman said in an email to ABC News.

This isn't the first time the governor has made headlines with her affinity for firearms. Her official YouTube channel posted in July a video of Haley touring FN Manufacturing, a Columbia, S.C., gun-production plant. Haley is shown in the video examining a variety of guns and speaking with FN Manufacturing employees before taking to the shooting range.

"It was a good time, it was a good stress reliever. And I did it in heels," she said in the video after taking several target shots.

Haley will be running as an incumbent in South Carolina's 2014 gubernatorial election.