NRA Slams 'Cowardice' of Companies Severing Ties

As companies continue to sever ties with the National Rifle Association, the gun lobby is hitting back with a statement that says "the law-abiding members of the NRA had nothing at all to do with the failure of that school's security preparedness ... or the cruel failures of both federal and local law enforcement." As USA Today reports, the statement further labels corporate decisions "to punish NRA membership" as "a shameful display of political and civic cowardice." The NRA lists discount programs such as those recently ended by United and Delta airlines as the No. 2 reason to join its ranks, but its partner programs are increasingly under pressure; a Change.org petition has as of Sunday morning almost reached its goal of 25,000 signatures urging 25 companies to cut ties. (The AP has a profile of the NRA's new face, Dana Loesch, here.)