Boycott of NRA Hits Rhode Island
GoLocalProv News Team
Boycott of NRA Hits Rhode Island
The list of companies that have dropped their discount programs and other business incentive programs with the NRA include:
1. @MetLife
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST2. @symantec
3. @BestWestern
4. @Wyndham
5. @Alamo
6. @NationalPro
7. @Enterprise
8. @FNBOmaha
9. @Hertz
10. @Budget
11. @Avis
12. @NortonOnline
13. @northAmericanVL
14. @SimpliSafe
15. @ChubbNA
MetLife is one of the largest Rhode Island employers. According to the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, MetLife employs between 500 and 999.
NRA Response
The NRA's response to the boycott included both tweeting and issuing a statement. “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,” said the NRA statement.
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. #StandandFight #NRA #2A https://t.co/4kzNq9GDLq
— NRA (@NRA) February 25, 2018
On Friday on LIVE, Linda Finn, President of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Gun Violence spoke about three different priorities for common sense gun legation for 2018. The three main priorities include banning assault weapons, banning firearms on school grounds (with exceptions of police/peace officers) and banning high capacity magazines.
“I think that we’re at a tipping point right now,” Finn says, “we just know that it’s time, people are fed up, and they know it’s time for us to ban these things.” The coalition backs a multi-pronged strategy--they say is dedicated to “reducing death and violence” while protecting second amendment rights. Finn says Rhode Island can look to legislation in states like Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York for examples of common sense gun legislation.
Top Gun Lobby Recipients - 2018
Nicholas Mattiello
Speaker of the House
$6,175
Democrat Mattiello, who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2006 and became Speaker in 2014, counts contributions totaling $3,425 from the NRA PAC; $2,550 from the Gun Owners PAC, and $200 from the NRA's top lobbyist.
Dominick Ruggerio
Senate President
$4,950
A member of the Senate since 1985, Democrat Ruggerio's NRA PAC donations on record -- dating back to 2002 -- total $4,050, and contributions from the Gun Owners PAC ($900) push Ruggerio's gun lobby influence just shy of $5000.
Michael McCaffrey
Rhode Island State Senator
$4,410
The Democratic Senate Majority Leader, who represents District 29 in Warwick, has taken in a NRA war chest, having first been elected in 1994, of at least $4,010. In addition, the Gun Owners PAC has given McCaffrey $400.
Joe Trillo
Candidate for Governor and Former State Rep
$4,020
The former Republican State Rep and honorary Trump campaign chair-turned independent candidate for Governor in 2018 amassed $4,020 in contributions from the NRA PAC in the past 15+ years.
Allan Fung
Candidate for Governor and Cranston Mayor
$3,330
Republican Fung, who is making a run for the state's highest office once again in 2018 after coming up short to Governor Gina Raimondo in 2014, amassed more donations from the Gun Owners PAC ($2300) than he did the NRA ($1000).
Frank Ciccone
State Senator
$3,125
A Democrat representing parts of Providence and North Providence since 2002, Ciccone -- who faced a strong primary challenge from Doris De Los Santos in 2016, has received contributions $2875 from the NRA PAC, and $250 from the Gun Owners PAC.
Robert Jacquard
State Representative
$2050
A Democrat from Cranston first elected in 1992, Jacquard is shown to have gotten $1550 from the NRA PAC, and $500 from the Gun Owners PAC dating back to 2002.
Stephen Ucci
State Representative
$1840
The Democratic Cranston and Johnston State Rep first elected in 2004 has taken in at least $1,550 from the NRA PAC, according to Board of Elections records, as well as $290 from the Gun Owners PAC.
Susan Sosnowski
State Senator
$1600
Sosnowski, a Democrat who has represented District 37 (New Shoreham, South Kingstown) since 1996, has been among the top NRA PAC recipients over the years with $1,100 in contributions and $500 from the Gun Owners PAC.
Hanna Gallo
State Senator
$1400
First elected in 1998, Gallo, a Democrat who represents Cranston and West Warwick, has received $1400 in donations from the NRA PAC.
