NRA Boycotts ConocoPhillips Over Gun Policy

IDABEL, Oklahoma -- The National Rifle Association began a boycott of ConocoPhillips Inc. Monday over the energy giant's attempt to block a state law preventing employers from firing workers who keep guns in their cars on company lots. ConocoPhillips is among several companies challenging an Oklahoma law in federal court that allows workers to keep guns in their locked cars on company property.

"Across the country, we're going to make ConocoPhillips the example of what happens when a corporation takes away your Second Amendment rights," NRA executive vice president Wayne LaPierre told the Associated Press.

LaPierre was in southeastern Oklahoma for a rally to support employees who were fired by Weyerhaeuser Inc. for keeping guns stored in vehicles parked at work.

Calls to ConocoPhillips for comment were not immediately returned Monday.

After the firings at Weyerhaeuser, the Oklahoma Legislature passed a bill to prevent such terminations. ConocoPhillips filed a federal lawsuit to block the measure.

The energy company has more than 3,100 workers in Oklahoma, the majority at the company's refinery in Ponca City.

LaPierre said the NRA is launching an aggressive billboard advertising and national boycott campaign against the company, in response to the corporation's anti-gun policy.

"If you are a corporation that's anti-gun, anti-gun owner, or anti-Second Amendment, we will spare no effort or expense to work against you, to protect the rights of your law-abiding employees. Their rights are worth more than your money," said LaPierre.

"ConocoPhillips went to federal court to attack your freedom. Now freedom is going to fire back," he said.

LaPierre unveiled a new billboard advertising campaign to target Conoco and Phillips 66 gas stations. The billboard reads, "ConocoPhillips is No Friend of the Second Amendment."

LaPierre asked all gun owners and consumers to boycott all Conoco and Phillips 66 products and asked Conoco and Phillips 66 retailers to urge their corporate officials to "get on the right side of freedom and withdraw from the federal lawsuits."

LaPierre called on every state legislator in American to join the NRA in the boycott.

"You can't say you support Second Amendment freedoms, then turn around and support anti-Second Amendment companies. Until ConocoPhillips supports the freedom of law-abiding Americans, we urge Congress and the state legislatures to turn a cold shoulder toward this corporation," said LaPierre.


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