First the good news for all of you NRA members. (I include this because I didn’t even know about it, so perhaps you didn’t either.) Federal Express is offering a shipping discount for all of us! That’s really nice of them. It’s one of only many partnership deals you can receive.

FedEx and the NRA Business Alliance have teamed up to offer BIG savings on FedEx Express® and FedEx Ground® shipping, FedEx Freight® services and FedEx OfficeSM services. Simply enroll in the FedEx Advantage® program using passcode FVMK8W13 or call 1-800-475-6708 for more information. Enrollment is free and there are no minimum shipping requirements to receive or maintain your discounts. To view a list of services available for firearm shipments, download the FedEx Services Matrix. For complete terms and conditions, please reference the FedEx Service Guide.

As I said… a minor but still very nice option to save you a few bucks. Who could get upset about that? Well, I’ll give you three guesses and the first two don’t count. (NOLA)

A coalition of gay-rights and gun-control activists is taking on FedEx Corp. for discounts it offers to members of the National Rifle Association, targeting the global shipper during the peak of the holiday season. The group is launching an online campaign and plans protests on Wednesday at FedEx retail stores in Denver; Atlanta; Memphis, Tennessee; and Orlando, Florida, said Igor Volsky, director of Guns Down, a Washington-based group that advocates for fewer guns in the U.S. and is one of 10 participating organizations. A Dec. 7 letter to the company got no response, he said. FedEx didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

So this Volsky character has a clear and rational explanation for organizing a protest (and, I presume, an eventual boycott) of FedEx over this transgression. He’s quoted as saying, “If they really value investing in under-served communities, which we think they do, then partnering with the NRA really undermines that mission.”

I see. But just to clear up any remaining confusion, would you mind telling me how it undermines their mission of investing in “under-served communities” pray tell? I mean, we get that the We Don’t Want Anyone To Have Guns community might be put off their feed a bit, but.. undermined? And he’s rolling this into some sort of claim of harm against the LGBT community as well. You do get that the discount isn’t just to ship guns, right? In fact, in many cases you can’t ship a gun unless you’re licensed and authorized. This is the shipping that members are using for everything else, such as their Christmas presents to the children in their families who live in other towns.

What does Guns Down have against children getting presents?

And just for the edification of Mr Volsky, is he aware that gun ownership in the LGBT community has been surging? In some cases it’s attributed to a response to the Orlando shooting. Some other, more liberal outlets are saying these are fear purchases resulting from Trump’s election. But either way, more gay and lesbian citizens are getting their training, obtaining permits and arming up. Do you not want them to get free shipping at the holidays?

Just whose side are you on here, anyway?