FedEx has rejected calls to stop offering discounts to National Rifle Association (NRA) members, suggesting doing so would “discriminate” against the powerful US gun lobby group.

In a statement the company said: “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”.

However, it “does not and will not deny service or discriminate against any legal entity regardless of their policy positions or political views” and so will not be cutting ties the organisation.

Several major companies, including Delta Airlines, United Airlines, Symantec, and Hertz, have cut ties with the NRA amid growing demands for tighter gun controls since the massacre at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School earlier this month.

But FedEx said: “The NRA is one of hundreds of organisations 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 statement in part echoed the words of Georgia Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle, who accused companies that have ended partnerships with the NRA of “discrimination against conservatives and law-abiding gun owners”.

Mr Cagle was referring to Delta airlines also ending its discount programme for NRA members.

However, critics said FexEx’s defence of its links to the NRA “makes no sense”.

“FedEx is charging businesses that are members of the NRA lower rates than non-members. Now it’s saying charging NRA members the same as everyone else would be discrimination,” news outlet ThinkProgress reported.

David Hogg, an 18-year-old survivor of the Florida shooting, called on his 347,000 followers to boycott FedEx.

Seventeen pupils and staff were shot dead by a lone gunman armed with an AR-15 assault-style rifle on 14 February.

The NRA has rejected calls to restrict sales of that type of assault-style weapon, which has been used in several mass shootings in the US.

In the wake of the massacre, pressure on companies to distance themselves from the powerful Washington lobbying group.

Car hire companies Enterprise, Alamo, National, and Hertz have all ended discount programmes for NRA members, while the First National Bank of Omaha has stopped issuing an NRA-branded credit card.

Delta, which has also severed ties with the gun owners’ group, said its decision “reflects the airline’s neutral status in the current national debate over gun control amid recent school shootings”.

It added: “Out of respect for our customers and employees on both sides, Delta has taken this action to refrain from entering this debate and focus on its business. Delta continues to support the 2nd Amendment.”

Florida shooting – in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Florida shooting – in pictures Florida shooting – in pictures Police arrest a suspect in connection with the shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida Reuters Florida shooting – in pictures Parents wait for news after reports of a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida AP Florida shooting – in pictures Anxious family members wait for news of students AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee Florida shooting – in pictures Students being evacuated from the school AP Florida shooting – in pictures Students being evacuated from the school Getty Florida shooting – in pictures People gather waiting for word from students AP Florida shooting – in pictures Parents waiting for news on their children AP Florida shooting – in pictures People gather at a hotel where students were taken after the shooting Getty Florida shooting – in pictures Florida Governor Rick Scott speaks to the media as he visits Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School following the shooting AFP/Getty Florida shooting – in pictures Dr. Igor Nichiporenko, Medical Director Trauma, left, and Dr. Evan Boyer, Medical Director, Emergency Services, speak about treating victims and the suspect at a press conference outside Broward Health North hospital AP

The NRA has attacked the businesses, accusing them of seeking to “punish” its members for the school shooting.

“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,” the firearms lobby group said in a statement.

“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.”

NRA President Wayne LaPierre said that gun control advocates, like the Parkland survivors, “hate freedom” at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on 22 February.