The Altria Group and Nikon Inc. were both expected to attend the NRA’s annual event May 4-6 but have since backed out of the event.
Altria Group is the parent corporate for “big tobacco,” such as Marlboro cigarettes and Skoal smokeless tobacco.
Nikon, the photograph equipment company – which makes rifle scopes – has been appeared at several past NRA conventions.
According to Bloomberg, neither company responded to questions from reporters. They were both on the NRA’s website as sponsors for the event, Bloomberg reported. Further, the article includes pictures of the NRA’s list of sponsor and Nikon Inc.’s page says, “Prepare to experience an all-new Nikon at NRA 2018 with a greatly expanded presence in the tactical shooting optics world.”
Altria Group and Nikon Inc. are no longer on the list of event sponsors.
A number of other organizations have chosen to end partnerships with the NRA. The National Bank of Omaha decided it would not renew its contract with the NRA for their sponsored credit cards. Multiple airlines and rental car companies have also ended discount programs for members of the National Rifle Association like Delta Airlines, United Airlines and Avis Budget Group among others.
These companies have withdrawn from partnerships with the NRA after the backlash following the horrific tragedy in February at Majority Stoneman Douglas High School where seventeen people were murdered. There has been no evidence the shooting was the reason behind Altria Group and Nikon Inc. withdrawing from the exhibition.
For those not in attendance, the NRA will stream the event.
Aren’t in Dallas for the NRA-ILA Leadership Forum? You’re in luck; you can live stream the entire forum to include when @realDonaldTrump and @VP Pence address the NRA!
Watch the event starting 11:45 AM CT here