Like many other companies, shipping giant FedEx is coming under serious pressure to sever its ties with the NRA. Its president has issued a strong statement as to why they won’t:
FedEx Corporation’s positions on the issues of gun policy and safety differ from those of the National Rifle Association (NRA). FedEx opposes assault rifles being in the hands of civilians. While we strongly support the constitutional right of U.S. citizens to own firearms subject to appropriate background checks, FedEx views assault rifles and large capacity magazines as an inherent potential danger to schools, workplaces, and communities when such weapons are misused. We therefore support restricting them to the military. Most important, FedEx believes urgent action is required at the local, state, and Federal level to protect schools and students from incidents such as the horrific tragedy in Florida on February 14th.
FedEx is a common carrier under Federal law and therefore does not and will not deny service or discriminate against any legal entity regardless of their policy positions or political views. The NRA is one of hundreds of organizations in our alliances/association Marketing program whose members receive discounted rates for FedEx shipping. FedEx has never set or changed rates for any of our millions of customers around the world in response to their politics, beliefs or positions on issues.
The second paragraph is perhaps more important than the first: It may well be that FedEx actually can’t discriminate against the NRA. But the first paragraph is a quintessential statement of the old aphorism, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” Sadly, that sentiment seems to have gone by the wayside too often of late.
