Gov. Chris Christie blamed the New Jersey legislature for a law that bars Tesla Motors Inc. from selling its cars directly to consumers.

New Jersey’s eight-member Motor Vehicle Commission, which consists of members of Christie’s cabinet and other gubernatorial appointees, voted unanimously March 11 to block Tesla from direct sales.

Christie, a Republican, said he’s not pushing Tesla out. “The state legislature did” with its law that prohibits the business model Tesla was using, the governor said at a town-hall meeting in South River today.

“Tesla was operating outside the law,” he said. “I have no problem with Tesla selling directly to customers except it’s against the law in New Jersey.”

Tesla should deal with the legislature, the governor said.