© Reuters. NRA Government Vice President and CEO Wayne LaPierre speaks on the Nationwide Rifle Affiliation (NRA) annual conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S., April 14, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Wayne LaPierre, the longtime chief of the Nationwide Rifle Affiliation, introduced his resignation as chief government on Friday, days earlier than a corruption trial involving the gun rights group begins in a Manhattan courtroom.
“With pleasure in all that we now have achieved, I’m saying my resignation from the NRA,” LaPierre said in a statement released by the NRA.
According to the NRA, the 74-year-old LaPierre cited health reasons for his decision to step down. He has served as the NRA’s chief executive since 1991.
“I’ve been a card-carrying member of this group for many of my grownup life, and I’ll by no means cease supporting the NRA and its combat to defend Second Modification freedom. My ardour for our trigger burns as deeply as ever.”
New York Lawyer Normal Letitia James sued the NRA in August 2020, saying it diverted thousands and thousands of {dollars} to fund luxuries for prime officers, together with journey bills for LaPierre to a number of resorts.
Monday’s trial comes at a troublesome time for the NRA, which has seen income and membership fall even because the U.S. Supreme Courtroom expands gun rights, whereas concern about crime has prompted many individuals to hunt firearms for defense.