Gun Control Debate: Delta Air Lines refuses to offer discounts to National Rifle Association

The Delta Air Lines on Friday refused to take sides in the debate over gun control reform regarding its decision to no longer offer discounts to National Rifle Association members.

The debate over gun control reforms was reignited post the deadly shootout by a student at Florida high school on February 18.

Delta Air Lines said, "It would review its discounts for "any group of a politically divisive nature."

It further clarified that this decision was not taken to ensure economic gain to the company rather the company wanted to remove itself from the debate around the gun debate.

Delta CEO Ed Bastian clarified the intention of the company behind remaining neutral regarding the controversy around the gun control reform.

"While Delta's intent was to remain neutral, some elected officials in Georgia tied our decision to a pending jet fuel tax exemption, threatening to eliminate it unless we reversed course," he wrote.

"Our decision was not made for economic gain and our values are not for sale. We are in the process of a review to end group discounts for any group of a politically divisive nature."

Delta has now joined several other organizations which have ended their aid to the NRA members following the Feb. 18 incident.

"Our people and our customers have a wide range of views on how to increase safety in our schools and public places, and we are not taking sides," Bastain wrote.

Leaders in multiple other states have invited Delta to move its headquarters following the dustup.

"Our people and our customers have a wide range of views on how to increase safety in our schools and public places, and we are not taking sides," Bastian wrote in the memo. "Our objective in removing any implied affiliation with the NRA was to remove Delta from this debate."

Further, the Georgia lawmakers voted on Thursday to strip a sales tax exemption on jet fuel that is highly valued by the Atlanta-based Delta. The move appeared to be an act of retribution for Delta's decision to sever ties with the NRA.