NRA chief executive Wayne LaPierre steps down
The National Rifle Association (NRA) has announced the resignation of its longtime chief executive, Wayne LaPierre.
After more than three decades at the helm, LaPierre, 74, will officially step down on January 31. This development precedes a New York civil trial where he, along with other top executives, faces accusations of misusing NRA funds.
Citing health reasons for his departure, LaPierre expressed continued support for the NRA, stating, “I will never stop supporting the NRA and its fight to defend Second Amendment freedom. My passion for our cause burns as deeply as ever.”
The resignation occurs amidst legal challenges involving allegations of violating the state’s non-profit laws in the upcoming trial set to begin on Monday.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, who brought the lawsuit in 2020, also accused the leaders of misusing millions of dollars of funds to pay for lavish personal expenses.
The other defendants are Wilson Phillips, Joshua Powell, and John Frazer, though Ms James has categorized Mr LaPierre as the “central figure” in the case.
One example of misconduct alleged in the lawsuit states that Mr LaPierre visited the Bahamas more than eight times by private plane using funds intended for the NRA, for a total cost of $500,000 (£380,000).
The lawsuit also sought to oust Mr Lapierre from his leadership position.
Ms. James said in a statement that his resignation is an “important victory” in the case, but said that her office’s “push for accountability continues”.
“Our case will move ahead, and we look forward to proving the facts in court,” she said.
The trial is expected to last six weeks and will be decided by a six-member jury.
In its statement announcing Mr. Lapierre’s resignation, the NRA said it would continue its defense of the lawsuit.
They have previously described it as a “baseless, premeditated attack”.
The NRA is one of the most powerful political organizations in the US, known for its heavy lobbying against all forms of gun control.
The organization has also argued repeatedly that more guns make the country safer.
It relies on and staunchly defends, a disputed interpretation of the Second Amendment to the US Constitution, which it argues gives US citizens the right to bear arms.
It directly funds US politicians and lawmakers who support its aims.
Its membership has declined in recent years, however. CBS reported in 2022 that the lobby group’s revenue – a bulk of which comes from member fees – had shrunk by 23% from 2016 to 2020.
In 2018, the NRA said it had six million members. Three years later, Mr Lapierre said in a deposition that its membership had dropped to below 4.9 million.
Mr LaPierre, one of the most prominent gun rights lobbyists in the US, has led the organization since 1991.
In a statement, NRA President Charles Cotton said that Mr. LaPierre “has done as much to protect Second Amendment freedom as anyone”.
He called him a “towering figure in the fight for constitutional freedom” who helped build the organization.
Andrew Arulanandam, the NRA’s head of general operations, will take over as the interim chief executive and executive vice president in February.
