It seems that the National Rifle Association era is coming to an end. The #BoycottNRA movement that sprung out of the recent Parkland Shooting has ended with the NRA being iced out of companies that had partnerships with them, whether that meant discounts for members or selling guns. As most of us know, the NRA has responded with an unrelenting released statement:
Let it be absolutely clear. The loss of a discount will neither scare nor distract one single NRA member from our mission to stand and defend the individual freedoms that have always made America the greatest nation in the world. #StandandFight #NRA #2A https://t.co/4kzNq9GDLq
— NRA (@NRA) February 25, 2018
No shame or backing down, apparently, from the NRA. But, companies have actually been listening to the people—in other words, their consumers. United Airlines, Delta, Hertz, First National Bank of Omaha, MetLife, Budget, and more. Wednesday, February 28th saw the addition of two more companies that are officially responding to the #BoycottNRA movement: Walmart and Dick's Sporting Goods, while they do not have official ties with the NRA, have both raised the minimum age for their gun shoppers. Dick's has now also stopped selling assault-style weapons. Walmart stopped selling assault-style rifles in 2015.
With so many companies icing the NRA in different ways, who is left? Here are a few of the major companies that haven't cut ties yet.
1. FedEx
First on the list is FedEx. With their statement, they mentioned opposition on the sale of assault weapons to civilians, but that they will not discriminate or deny service based on political views.
2. Amazon
Amazon's streaming service and website includes streaming for NRA TV, which includes 22 original series promoting the NRA's message, one segment of which is on why it should be easier to purchase an AR-15.
Sign the petition telling Jeff Bezos to stop streaming NRA TV here.
Apple TV, Roku and YouTube (Google) also stream NRA TV. Apple, Google and Amazon have commented as of yet. Roku has stated that they are an open platform and does not seem to be making moves in removing the channel.
3. Vinesse Wines
Labeled the "official wine club of the NRA," Vinesse Wines has stopped selling their NRA-brand wines. However, they still offer discounts for the wine club to NRA members and are still considered the official wine club of the NRA.
4. HotelPlanner
HotelPlanner offers discounted rates for large organizations, including the NRA. Co-founder Tim Henschel commented that the associations benefit their customers, signaling a continuing partnership.
If you want to be part of the #BoycottNRA movement, keep these big companies in mind. In this major effort to help stop gun violence, limit who has access to guns and ban assault-style guns, going after the NRA is a smart tactic. Politicians like Marco Rubio have shown us that they certainly do not have to listen to their constituents and can (in some cases, will) continue to do as they please.
If we can't change things as constituents, let's change them as consumers.
For a more comprehensive list of companies that are still involved with the NRA (as well as those that have stopped their partnerships), go here.
