FedEx stays loyal to the NRA as gun-control pressure builds and boycotts loom

FedEx has not cut ties with the National Rifle Association despite boycott threats and pressure from gun-control activists, nor publicly commented on its continuation of a discount program for members of the gun-rights organization.
Celebrities and students at the Florida high school where a gunman killed 17 people earlier this month have spoken out against the company.
FedEx announced on Monday it would continue to offer NRA members discounts, even though it

As brands increasingly cut ties with the National Rifle Association, one notable company is holding out.

Last week, in the wake of the shooting at a Florida high school that left 17 people dead, people on social media pressured companies that offer special deals to NRA members to cut ties with the gun-rights organization.

While companies including United, Hertz, and MetLife have done so, FedEx, which offers NRA members discounts of up to 26% on shipping packages, has not.

Now, gun-control activists are doubling down on their efforts.

"So how else should we pressure @FedEx to end their relationship with the NRA?" tweeted David Hogg, a student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School who has since emerged as a leading voice on gun control.

#BoycottFedEx... @ David Hogg

.@FedEx has heard from THOU... @ Judd Legum

Hey @FedEx, partnering w th... @ Khary Penebaker

Celebrities and well-known personalities including Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski, Rosie O'Donnell, Billy Eichner, and Zach Braff tweeted over the weekend in support of the effort to boycott FedEx.

@morningmika @FedEx I total... @ ROSIE

My Mom asked me to stop usi... @ Zach Braff

FED EX = NRA. Since @FedEx ... @ billy eichner

The company's social-media accounts have been flooded with boycott threats.

On Monday morning, The New York Times published an op-ed article encouraging people to boycott the delivery company.

"Ending a discount program won't, in and of itself, save any lives or cause great political damage to the N.R.A.," David Leonhardt wrote. "But the FedEx situation has now become something of a test case of the new anti-gun movement. It's also a test case for whether a major company feels comfortable allying itself with a group that effectively promotes violence."

While the boycott threats have piled up, some people on social media have lined up in support of FedEx.

It#emo#s okay @FedEx most Ameri... @ Krissy-Straight Outta Da Kremlin #emo##emo#

Thank you .@FedEx for conti... @ #emo# V #emo#

FedEx responded toboycott threatsin on Monday afternoon, in a statement saying it would continue to

"FedEx opposes assault rifles being in the hands of civilians," the company said in a statement to Business Insider.

It continued: "While we strongly support the constitutional right of U.S. citizens to own firearms subject to appropriate background checks, FedEx views assault rifles and large capacity magazines as an inherent potential danger to schools, workplaces, and communities when such weapons are misused."

FedEx stays loyal to the NRA as gun-control pressure builds and boycotts loom

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