(CNSNews.com) - Car rental companies, banks, airlines, hotels, even a home security company are among the growing list to sever their discount programs with the National Rifle Association following the mass shooting at Majory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. on February 14.
The NRA responded to the corporate backlash over the weekend, calling it "an effort to punish our members who are doctors, farmers, law enforcement officers, fire fighters, nurses, shop owners and school teachers that live in every American community."
The NRA noted that its "law-abiding members" had nothing to do with the failure of the school's security, the failure of the nation's mental health system, the failure of the National Instant Background Check System or the "cruel failures" of both federal and local law enforcement.
NRA spokeswoman Dan Loesch recapped some of those failures in a tweet on Sunday:
Recap:
- Parkland murderer’s neighbors, family called Broward Sheriff
- 45 responses at least to murderer’s home
- He messaged threats to kill classmates which is a felony under FL statute
- Assaulted parent and classmates
- Took b(u)llets and knives to school
- Sheriff blames NRA
The NRA said those companies that are punishing its members are engaged in a "shameful display of political and civic cowardice."
It says the brands that are abandoning the NRA will be replaced in time by companies eager to serve patriots who are commited to constitutional freedoms.
"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," the statement concluded.
The full statement reads as follows:
FAIRFAX, VA – The more than five million law-abiding members of the National Rifle Association have enjoyed discounts and cost-saving programs from many American corporations that have partnered with the NRA to expand member benefits.
Since the tragedy in Parkland, Florida, a number of companies have decided to sever their relationship with the NRA, in an effort to punish our members who are doctors, farmers, law enforcement officers, fire fighters, nurses, shop owners and school teachers that live in every American community. We are men and women who represent every American ethnic group, every one of the world’s religions and every form of political commitment.
The law-abiding members of the NRA had nothing at all to do with the failure of that school’s security preparedness, the failure of America’s mental health system, the failure of the National Instant Check System or the cruel failures of both federal and local law enforcement.
Despite that, some corporations have decided to punish NRA membership in a shameful display of political and civic cowardice. In time, these brands will be replaced by others who recognize that patriotism and determined commitment to Constitutional freedoms are characteristics of a marketplace they very much want to serve.
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.