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U.S. companies end ties with gun group NRA

Gun Violence - Level 4

U.S. companies, like United Airlines and Hertz, are planning to cut ties with the USA's National Rifle Association (NRA). This is after the high-school shooting in South Florida in which 17 students and staff died. Many other companies are cutting ties with the powerful NRA lobby group. They will end discounts and benefits for NRA members. This could be a watershed for gun control in the USA. There is also a growing campaign for change on social media.

The NRA attacked the failure of the school and government for the tragedy. It stated: "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...or the cruel failures of...law enforcement." It said that companies that punished NRA members for the tragedy were "shameful". It added that the loss of discounts would not stop the NRA from defending freedom.

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Gun Violence - Level 5

Many companies are announcing plans to cut ties with the USA's National Rifle Association (NRA) after the high-school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in South Florida. That tragedy saw 17 students and staff lose their lives. Many high profile companies, like United Airlines, Delta Airlines and Hertz, are cutting ties with the powerful NRA lobby group. They will end special discounts and benefits for NRA members. This could be a watershed for gun control in the USA. There is also a growing campaign on social media for greater change in the USA regarding guns.

The NRA attacked the failure of both school and federal systems for the high school tragedy. It stated: "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...or the cruel failures of...law enforcement." It added that: "Some corporations have decided to punish NRA membership in a shameful display of...cowardice." The NRA said: "The loss of a discount will neither scare nor distract one single NRA member from our mission to stand and defend individual freedoms."

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Gun Violence - Level 6

An increasing number of companies are announcing plans to sever ties with the USA's National Rifle Association (NRA) following the latest high-school shooting massacre. The tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in South Florida, in which 17 students and staff lost their lives, could be a watershed for gun control in the USA. Many high profile companies are calling for gun control and are cutting ties with the powerful NRA lobby group. United Airlines, Delta Airlines and Hertz are among many companies to end special discounts and benefits for NRA staff and members. There is also a growing campaign on social media for greater gun control in the USA.

The NRA made a statement attacking the failure of both school and federal systems for the high school tragedy. It said: "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...or the cruel failures of both federal and local law enforcement." It added that: "Despite that, some corporations have decided to punish NRA membership in a shameful display of political and civic cowardice." An NRA spokesman hit back at the companies, saying: "The loss of a discount will neither scare nor distract one single NRA member from our mission to stand and defend individual freedoms."

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25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson