NRA accuses brands of a 'shameful display of political and civic cowardice' as Delta and United cut ties

The National Rifle Association (NRA) has spoken out over the #BoycottNRA movement which has now seen more than 20 brands cut ties with the association, with Amazon, Facebook and FedEx under pressure to follow suit.

A statement issued by the NRA followed twin announcements from Delta and United yesterday (Saturday 24 February), which stated both airlines would no longer offer flight discounts to the NRA’s annual convention.

Delta is reaching out to the NRA to let them know we will be ending their contract for discounted rates through our group travel program. We will be requesting that the NRA remove our information from their website.

In its statement, the NRA accused the companies that have severed ties with the association over the last two days of participating in a “shameful display of political and civic cowardice”.

“Let it be absolutely clear,” the statement read. “The loss of a discount will neither scare nor distract one single NRA member from our mission to stand and defend the freedoms that have always made America the greatest nation in the world.”

Delta and United join a growing list of brands, including Avis, Hertz, Enterprise, Best Western and MetLife, cutting ties with the gun group.

The NRA claimed in its statement the brands walking away from the association would “in time” be “replaced by others who recognise that patriotism and determined commitment to Constitutional freedoms are characteristics of a marketplace they very much want to serve”.

Remaining defiant, the group claimed the loss of discounts would “neither scare or distract on single NRA member”.

Claiming 5 million members across the US, the NRA makes millions of dollars each year through its supporters, which it uses to fight gun regulations in the name of the Constitution, which grants Americans the “right to bear arms”.

The #BoycottNRA movement follows a school shooting that took place in Parkland, Florida that saw 17 people lose their lives.