2018 NRA boycott explained

In February 2018, a boycott emerged against the U.S. gun rights advocacy group National Rifle Association of America (NRA) and its business affiliates. The boycott and social media activism campaign arose in the aftermath of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida. The NRA was criticized for its response, including its recommendation for schools to arm teachers and opposition to bans on certain weapons. Calls for companies to sever their ties to the NRA resulted in several companies discontinuing their business relationships with the NRA and cancelling discount programs offered to NRA members. The boycott extended to Canada where Mountain Equipment Co-op and the Running Room cut supplier relationships with Vista Outdoor.[1] [2] Public pressure also caused a number of gun retailers to increase the age required to buy firearms and place other restrictions on gun sales.

Background

After the Parkland shooting, there was an unprecedented upsurge of public support for gun control advocacy groups[3] and significant backlash against the NRA for its response to the shooting, having argued that schools required more armed security to protect against the possibility of future attacks, and its continued calls to preserving the right to own semi-automatic firearms, such as those used in the shooting.[4] [5]

On February 20, 2018, ThinkProgress asked over two dozen corporations offering discounts to NRA members whether they would continue their relationships with the NRA.[6] Several companies terminated their agreements with the NRA, and their announcements went viral, along with hashtags such as #BoycottNRA, started by activists like Michael Skolnik.[7] One of the first to respond to the boycott, First National Bank of Omaha, the largest privately held bank in the United States, announced that it will not renew its deal for the "official credit card of the NRA".[8]

Companies involved

Affinity marketing

One class of companies targeted generally offer or offered discounts or free trials to NRA members, often advertised on the NRA website, in what is often termed affinity marketing. Access to discounts is a benefit of paying NRA membership dues[9] and the NRA promotes the opportunity to save hundreds of dollars more than the cost of membership.[10]

Severed ties

Companies that have severed ties with the NRA as of February 24, 2018, span banks, airlines, car rental services, hotels, and software companies.[11] [12] [13] They include:

Retained ties

Several companies have been pressured to disaffiliate with the NRA, but have not, or have not issued statements indicating that they will.[34] [35]

FedEx

Pressure on FedEx to drop NRA discounts of up to 26 percent had been going on for nearly a year before the Florida shooting.[42] After several companies cut ties with the NRA, calls to boycott FedEx arose on social media under the hashtag #BoycottFedEx.[43] In a statement, FedEx affirmed that while it does not fully agree with the NRA on issues of gun policy, it will continue its business relationship with the organization.[44] [45] [46] Due to a drop in NRA-related volume that made the organization ineligible for discounts, the NRA was dropped from the program on October 30, 2018.[47]

Insurance providers

In response to the NRA boycott several companies discontinued insurance products targeted at NRA members.

Vista Outdoor

Vista Outdoor manufactures AR-15-style rifles under the Savage Arms brand and ammunition under the CCI and Federal brands as well as a range of bike related and other outdoor products including the Bell, Giro, CamelBak, and Blackburn brands. After the Parkland shooting, consumers called on retailers to stop selling all Vista Outdoor products specifically over the company's support of the NRA.

Bicycle retailers in several states stopped selling all Vista Outdoor products, citing the company's support for the NRA. Some cancelled orders or returned existing stock.[52] [53] [54] Canadian retail cooperative Mountain Equipment Co-op similarly announced on March 1, 2018, that, in response to a petition by its members, it would no longer stock products by Vista Outdoor brands in its 22 stores. The co-op does not sell guns.[55] [56] In the United States Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) announced that they would stop ordering all Vista Outdoor products due to the company's NRA support.[57] Running Room, Canada's largest dealer of athletic apparel announced it will discontinue Camelbak products across the chain of 120 Canadian and two US stores, citing strong customer support for the move.[58] [59]

Broadcasters of NRA programming

NRATV, the NRA's online video channel, is a prominent forum used by the organization to disseminate its message[60] and with a large follower base on social media.[61] In the aftermath of the events in Parkland, activists created the hashtags #stopNRAmazon and #DumpNRATV asking Amazon to discontinue streaming programs from NRATV, an initiative supported by celebrities like Alyssa Milano, Denis O'Hare, Evan Handler, Ben Gleib, Joshua Malina, Warren Leight, Genevieve Angelson, Joe Scarborough, Mika Brzezinski, and Misha Collins.[62] [63] [64] [65] Other companies offering NRATV programs as part of their streaming services became the target of a similar campaign launched by Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense and Everytown for Gun Safety.[66]

The following companies continue to stream NRATV, despite petitions for them to stop:[67]

Gun dealers

On February 28, 2018 Dick's Sporting Goods discontinued the sale of all assault-style rifles, high-capacity magazines and bump stocks. The company also immediately restricted the sale of any guns to customers aged 21 or older. As justification for the move, Dick's praised the Stoneman Douglas students who are campaigning for gun control and for businesses to side against the NRA.[73]

Publix

National grocery retailer Publix suspended all political donations after Stoneman Douglas survivor David Hogg organized a "die in" and a public boycott to protest the company's support of Adam Putnam, an NRA-backed candidate for Florida governor. The NRA had labeled Putnam with its highest endorsement and Putnam called himself on Twitter a "proud NRA sellout". Hogg stated "Anyone who supports an NRA sellout is an NRA sellout," as the reason for the action.[74] Prior to the in store protests Hogg called on Publix to donate $1 million to the Stoneman Douglas Victims fund.[75] [76]

Response

In a statement released February 24, 2018, the NRA accused the companies involved in the boycott of "a shameful display of political and civic cowardice" and added, "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."[77] [78]

Following the NRA's response, conservative commentators and gun rights supporters voiced opposition to the boycott, calling it "mob justice" and accusing supporters of silencing free speech.[79] Tim Hentschel of HotelPlanner.com said he would not mix business and politics, and that his decision to maintain the company's relationship with the NRA was not based on money.[80]

Republicans in the Georgia state Senate voted to remove $50 million in jet fuel tax sale exemptions from a tax bill in response to Delta Air Lines' decision to sever ties with the NRA. Republican Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle tweeted "I will kill any tax legislation that benefits @Delta unless the company changes its position and fully reinstates its relationship with @NRA. Corporations cannot attack conservatives and expect us not to fight back."[81] [82] [83] Delta CEO Ed Bastian responded, saying, "Our decision was not made for economic gain and our values are not for sale."[84]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Evans . Pete . Mountain Equipment Co-op to stop selling Vista Outdoor products . CBC News . 30 August 2020 . 1 March 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180302035642/https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/mec-vista-outdoor-1.4557071 . 2 March 2018 . live.
  2. Web site: Mills . Stu . Running Room to let CamelBak supply dry up . CBC News . 30 August 2020 . 2 March 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180302121745/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/running-room-vista-ban-supply-1.4558650 . 2 March 2018 . live.
  3. Web site: NRA-ILA - Anti-Gun Lobbying Organizations. NRA-ILA. February 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180226032542/https://www.nraila.org/articles/20140820/anti-gun-lobbying-organizations. February 26, 2018. live.
  4. News: Hsu . Tiffany . February 27, 2018 . Big and Small, N.R.A. Boycott Efforts Come Together in Gun Debate . en-US . The New York Times . live . limited . March 1, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190214085328/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/27/business/nra-boycotts.html . 14 February 2019 . 0362-4331.
  5. News: Berman . Mark . Weigel . David . February 22, 2018 . NRA goes on the offensive after Parkland shooting, assailing media and calling for more armed school security . en-US . The Washington Post . live . subscription . March 1, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180621035639/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2018/02/22/after-silence-on-parkland-nra-pushes-back-against-law-enforcement-the-media-and-gun-control-advocates/?utm_term=.4085a2aedc96 . 21 June 2018 . 0190-8286.
  6. News: The NRA is being supported by these companies. Lerner. Kira. February 20, 2018. ThinkProgress. February 24, 2018. Israel. Josh. en-US.
  7. News: Levin . Bess . February 23, 2018 . Corporate America Second-Guessing Association with Mass Murder . en . The Hive . February 24, 2018.
  8. News: Meyer . David . February 23, 2018 . Companies Are Starting to Back Away From the Gun Industry and NRA . en . Fortune . February 24, 2018.
  9. Web site: Luke . Darby . NRA Is Losing Major Sponsors and Partners Amid Calls for a Boycott . Gq.com . February 21, 2018 . February 25, 2018.
  10. Web site: Held . Amy . February 23, 2018 . One By One, Companies Cut Ties With The NRA : The Two-Way . February 25, 2018 . NPR .
  11. News: Moore . Jack . February 24, 2018 . The full list of companies who have boycotted the NRA over the Florida shooting . en . Newsweek . February 24, 2018.
  12. News: Fortin . Jacey . February 24, 2018 . A List of the Companies Cutting Ties With the N.R.A. . en-US . The New York Times . live . limited . February 25, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200121224409/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/24/business/nra-companies-boycott.html . 21 January 2020 . 0362-4331.
  13. News: These Companies Are Done With the NRA. Exstrum. Olivia. February 24, 2018. Mother Jones. February 24, 2018. en-US.
  14. News: Hertz cuts ties with the NRA. February 23, 2018. ThinkProgress. February 24, 2018. en-US.
  15. Web site: Why companies are abandoning the NRA. Danielle. Wiener-Bronner. February 25, 2018.
  16. News:
    1. BoycottNRA: Hertz and Avis are the latest companies to cut ties with gun lobby as movement gains steam
    . Barbash. Fred. February 23, 2018. Washington Post. February 24, 2018. Bever. Lindsey. en-US. 0190-8286.
  17. News: Avis and Budget dump the NRA. February 23, 2018. ThinkProgress. February 24, 2018. en-US.
  18. News: Two national moving companies cut ties with NRA. February 23, 2018. ThinkProgress. February 24, 2018. en-US.
  19. News: Companies Cut Ties to the N.R.A., but Find There Is No Neutral Ground. Creswell. Julie. February 23, 2018. The New York Times. February 24, 2018. Hsu. Tiffany. en-US. 0362-4331.
  20. News: United, Delta join list of companies publicly distancing from the NRA. Griffiths. Brent D.. February 24, 2018. POLITICO. February 24, 2018.
  21. News: Delta and United join list of companies to cut ties with the NRA. Wattles. Jackie. CNNMoney. February 24, 2018.
  22. News: Florida shooting: US airlines join other firms in dropping NRA. February 25, 2018. BBC. February 24, 2018.
  23. News: Delta and United Airlines have cut ties with the NRA. Business Insider. February 24, 2018.
  24. News: Businesses Cut NRA Ties As Pressure Campaign Mounts. Hart. Benjamin. Daily Intelligencer. February 24, 2018. en.
  25. News: First National Bank dumps NRA, will no longer issue NRA Visa card. February 23, 2018. ThinkProgress. February 24, 2018. en-US.
  26. Web site: Here are all the brands that have cut ties with the NRA following gun-control activists' boycotts . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/nra-florida-shooting-gun-control-national-rifle-association-arming-teachers-donald-trump-latest-a8227836.html . May 1, 2022 . subscription . live . . February 25, 2018 . February 25, 2018 . Taylor . Kate . Garfield . Leanna.
  27. News: Software company cuts ties with the NRA. February 23, 2018. ThinkProgress. February 24, 2018. en-US.
  28. Web site: These Companies Still Do Business With the NRA, Despite, Well, Everything . . February 26, 2018 . March 1, 2018 . Friedman . Megan.
  29. News: SimpliSafe cuts ties with the NRA. February 23, 2018. ThinkProgress. February 24, 2018. en-US.
  30. News: Symantec cuts ties with the NRA. February 23, 2018. ThinkProgress. February 24, 2018. en-US.
  31. News: Symantec ends NRA membership deals after backlash. Lecher. Colin. February 23, 2018. The Verge. February 25, 2018.
  32. News: Teladoc confirms it's no longer in partnership with the NRA. February 23, 2018. ThinkProgress. February 24, 2018. en-US.
  33. News: TrueCar ends its relationship with the NRA. February 23, 2018. ThinkProgress. February 24, 2018. en-US.
  34. News: These Companies Still Do Business With the NRA, Despite, Well, Everything. Friedman. Megan. February 23, 2018. Esquire. February 25, 2018. en-US.
  35. News: These Companies Are Sticking By the NRA. Boboltz. Sara. February 23, 2018. Huffington Post. February 24, 2018. en-US.
  36. News: BlackRock puts gunmakers on notice after Florida school shooting. February 23, 2018. Reuters. February 24, 2018.
  37. Web site: UPDATED: An anti-NRA movement is calling for the boycott of these 13 companies . . February 27, 2018 . March 1, 2018 . Tyler . Jessica . Garfield . Leanna.
  38. News: NRA Corporate Partners Are Feeling the Heat. February 24, 2018. Time. en. February 25, 2018.
  39. Web site: NRA Boycott: What Companies Are Still Partnered With NRA? . . February 26, 2018 . March 1, 2018 . Fearnow . Benjamin.
  40. Web site: Join NRA Wine Club! . Nrawineclub.com . February 25, 2018.
  41. News: Wells Fargo loses teachers union AFT over ties to NRA, guns . USA Today . McCoy . Kevin . Bomey . Nathan . April 19, 2018 . April 25, 2018.
  42. Web site: FedEx remains silent on NRA ties . . February 26, 2018 . February 26, 2018 . Nichols . Meagan.
  43. Web site: Photographer: Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg FedEx Stays Silent While Calls Mount for Boycott Over NRA Discounts . . February 26, 2018 . February 26, 2018 . Schlangenstein . Mary.
  44. Web site: FedEx promises to stay loyal to the NRA amid boycott threats — but says it doesn't agree with the gun group . . February 26, 2018 . February 26, 2018 . Taylor . Kate.
  45. News: FedEx won't drop NRA from discount program. February 26, 2018. Reuters. February 26, 2018.
  46. Web site: Wayne Risher . FedEx's NRA discounts draw fire in wake of Florida shooting . commercial appeal . Gannett . 19 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201109014635/https://eu.commercialappeal.com/story/money/industries/logistics/2018/02/26/fedex-under-fire-nra-discounts-fla-students-gun-control-activists-press-boycott/372882002/ . November 9, 2020 . en-us . 26 February 2018 . live.
  47. News: Hsu . Tiffany . FedEx Ends Deal for N.R.A. but Says It's Not Because of Pittsburgh Shooting . October 31, 2018 . The New York Times. October 30, 2018.
  48. News: Insurer Lockton will no longer offer NRA gun owner insurance. Lerner. Kira. February 26, 2018. ThinkProgress. February 26, 2018. en-US.
  49. News: Insurer Lockton will no longer sell NRA-endorsed policies. Barlyn. Suzanne. February 26, 2018. ThinkProgress. February 26, 2018. en-US.
  50. News: Insurer MetLife cuts ties with the NRA. February 23, 2018. ThinkProgress. February 24, 2018. en-US.
  51. Web site: Siegel . Rachel . Rental cars, hearing aids, insurers: Since Parkland, a list of companies that have taken action on guns . https://web.archive.org/web/20180302204732/https://www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/news/business/wp/2018/03/02/rental-cars-hearing-aids-insurers-since-parkland-a-list-of-companies-that-have-weighed-in-on-the-gun-debate/ . dead . 2018-03-02 . Washingtonpost.com . 2018-03-02 . 2018-04-12.
  52. News: Local bike shops come to terms with their industry's ties to the NRA - BikePortland.org. February 23, 2018. BikePortland.org. March 1, 2018. en-US.
  53. News: Bell, Giro, CamelBak, Blackburn face backlash for parent company's affiliation with the NRA. Bicycle Retailer and Industry News. March 1, 2018. en. February 27, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180227004133/http://www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2018/02/26/bell-giro-camelbak-blackburn-face-backlash-parent-company%E2%80%99s-affiliation-nra#.WpYUinB6rv4. dead.
  54. Web site: The same company that manufactures your CoPilot rear-rack child bicycle safety seat also produces the SavageArms MSR 15 Patrol assault rifle. bikebiz.com. February 21, 2018. February 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180228161836/https://www.bikebiz.com/.amp/news/anti-gun-bike-brand-boycott. February 28, 2018. dead.
  55. News: MEC to stop selling gun-maker Vista Outdoor brands after outcry over Florida shooting. March 1, 2018. Financial Post. March 1, 2018. en-US.
  56. News: Consumers pressure MEC to drop outdoor brands owned by U.S. gun manufacturer. CBC News. March 1, 2018. en.
  57. News: NRA boycott: REI, Mountain Equipment Co-Op, stop selling major outdoor brand with NRA ties . . March 2, 2018 . March 2, 2018 . Flynn . Meagan.
  58. Web site: Running Room to let CamelBak supply dry up. cbc.ca. March 8, 2018.
  59. Web site: Crawford . Robyn . Petition gets MEC, retailers to boycott Vista Outdoor, a brand that also manufactures guns . Globalnews.ca . 2018-03-01 . 2018-04-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180304114330/https://globalnews.ca/news/4056952/petition-gets-mec-retailers-to-boycott-vista-outdoor-a-brand-that-also-manufactures-guns/amp/ . March 4, 2018 . dead . mdy-all .
  60. News: Where the N.R.A. Speaks First and Loudest. Peters. Jeremy W.. February 21, 2018. The New York Times. February 25, 2018. Benner. Katie. en-US. 0362-4331.
  61. News: Activists Blast Amazon for Streaming NRATV After Florida Shooting. Bonazzo. John. February 22, 2018. Observer. February 25, 2018. en-US.
  62. News: Amazon Targeted in Calls to Drop NRA TV App, Which Is Also on Apple TV, Roku. Spangler. Todd. February 22, 2018. Variety. February 24, 2018. en-US.
  63. News: People are furiously criticizing Amazon over the NRA's streaming TV channel. Weissman. Cale G.. February 22, 2018. Fast Company. February 24, 2018. en-US.
  64. News: Celebs Join Forces to Lobby Amazon to Cut NRA TV. Katz. Brandon. February 23, 2018. Observer. February 24, 2018. en-US.
  65. News:
    1. StopNRAmazon demands Amazon drop NRA TV
    . Cagle. Tess. February 23, 2018. The Daily Dot. February 24, 2018. en-US.
  66. News: Gun safety groups want Apple TV and Amazon Fire to pull NRATV. Meyersohn. Nathaniel. CNNMoney. February 24, 2018.
  67. Web site: Amazon, Google and Apple under pressure to remove NRA streaming channel. USA Today. February 28, 2018.
  68. Web site: Amazon under fire for streaming NRATV after school shooting . NY Daily News . February 23, 2018 . February 25, 2018.
  69. News: Gun safety groups want Apple TV and Amazon Fire to pull NRATV. Meyersohn. Nathaniel. CNNMoney. February 25, 2018.
  70. News: Amazon, Roku and Apple Under Pressure On NRA TV. Sloane. Garett. February 23, 2018. February 25, 2018. en.
  71. Web site: Meyersohn . Nathaniel . Gun safety groups want Apple TV and Amazon Fire to pull NRATV . Money.cnn.com . February 23, 2018 . February 25, 2018.
  72. Web site: Roku - NRA Women . March 17, 2018 . March 17, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180317231826/https://channelstore.roku.com/details/43100/nra-women . dead .
  73. News: Dick's Sporting Goods to stop selling assault-style rifles . Financial Times . March 2018 . subscription . Edgecliffe-Johnson . Andrew . Nicolaou . Anna .
  74. Web site: Protestors hold 'die-in' at grocery store . KIMT3 News . Heartland Media . 19 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141515/http://www.kimt.com/content/national/483763971.html . 12 June 2018 . en-us . 17 May 2018 . live.
  75. News: Price . Wayne . Publix bags all political donations in wake of #boycottPublix protest . June 7, 2018 . USA Today Network . May 25, 2018.
  76. News: Richardson . Valerie . David Hogg still waiting for $1 million GoFundMe donation from Publix . June 7, 2018 . Washington Times . June 6, 2018.
  77. News: NRA lashes out at boycott movement as United, Delta and other corporations cut ties. Selk. Avi. February 24, 2018. Washington Post. February 24, 2018.
  78. Web site: NRA-ILA - NRA Statement on Corporate Partnerships. NRA-ILA. February 25, 2018.
  79. Web site: Are the NRA's corporate partners and boycott urging critics stifling its free speech? . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/comment/are-the-nras-corporate-partners-and-boycott-urging-critics-stifling-its-free-speech-a8229091.html . May 1, 2022 . subscription . live . . February 26, 2018 . February 26, 2018 . Moore . James.
  80. Web site: Not interested in 'your boycott war,' HotelPlanner CEO says to companies cutting ties with NRA . . February 26, 2018 . February 26, 2018 . Ell . Kellie.
  81. Web site: Georgia Senate Moves to Punish Delta . . February 26, 2018 . February 26, 2018 . Levy . Gabrielle.
  82. Web site: Georgia's lieutenant gov blasts Delta for cutting ties with NRA; warns he will block legislation favoring airline . . February 26, 2018 . February 26, 2018 . Singman . Brooke.
  83. News: Georgia Lt. Governor Threatens to Block Tax Cut for Delta Over NRA Split. https://web.archive.org/web/20180226232319/http://time.com/5176731/casey-cagle-delta-tax-cut-nra/. dead. February 26, 2018. Time. en. February 27, 2018.
  84. Web site: Josephs. Leslie. Delta CEO says, 'Our values are not for sale,' after Georgia lawmakers drop tax break. March 2, 2018. CNBC. March 3, 2018.

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