Step 1: Understanding the Reaction
When a primary amine (\( R-NH_2 \)) reacts with nitrous acid (\( HNO_2 \)), it undergoes deamination, producing nitrogen gas (\( N_2 \)) or ammonia (\( NH_3 \)), depending on the conditions.
\[
R-NH_2 + HNO_2 \rightarrow R-OH + N_2 + H_2O
\]
Step 2: Special Case - Ammonia Formation
When the amine group is part of an ammonium salt (\( NH_4^+ \)), ammonia gas (\( NH_3 \)) is released.
\[
NH_4^+ + HNO_2 \rightarrow NH_3 + H_2O + N_2
\]
Thus, the correct answer is \( NH_3 \).