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In the early months of 2018, many companies cut ties with the NRA or stopped selling guns altogether. While the National Rifle Association has been under fire for years, the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida became a catalyst for the gun debate in America. Student protests and general public fatigue over the frequency of mass killings led to an unprecedented level of public outrage, much of which was directed at the NRA. As a result, several national brands changed their policies regarding gun sales, discounts, and special programs for NRA members.
As citizens called on companies to boycott the NRA, many complied. From major corporations like Wal-Mart and Best Western to lesser known businesses, a multitude of special discounts and programs for NRA members disappeared more or less overnight. In addition to this, many retail chains tightened restrictions on purchasing guns at their stores. While it's unclear how this will ultimately effect the NRA - and the gun debate in America - many see it as a step forward as companies are reconsidering their relationship with the controversial organization.
The backlash had consequences for some. Delta Airlines's decision to stop offering a discount to NRA members, for example, reportedly cost them millions when the Georgia Legislature removed a jet-fuel tax break in response. Despite the threat of retaliatory legislature, the list of companies against the NRA continues to grow. All the companies severing NRA ties are cataloged below.
In April 2018, an NRA lobbyist released a letter condemning cooler company Yeti for cutting ties with the organization suddenly. Yeti claimed the letter was misleading, but confirmed they had done away with some discount programs related to the NRA.
Wal-Mart stopped selling semi-automatic weapons in 2015 and the company banned gun sales to anyone under 21 following the 2018 shooting in Parkland, FL. This stood in opposition to the NRA's outspoken opposition to raising age restrictions.
United Airlines ended its discount program for members of the NRA and requested the NRA remove any mention of United from its website following the 2018 shooting in Parkland, Florida.
Symantec, a cyber security company that sells programs like Norton AntiVirus, once offered discounts and other perks for NRA members. On February 23, 2018, the company ended the program abruptly via an announcement on Twitter simply stating:
"Symantec has stopped its discount program with the National Rifle Association."