NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre resigns ahead of corruption trial

Jan 05, 2024

Lauren Taylor Anchor

By Lauren Taylor (Anchor), William Jackson (Producer, Video Editor)

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Wayne LaPierre, the longstanding leader of the National Rifle Association (NRA), announced his resignation Friday, Jan. 5, days before the start of a corruption trial in New York scrutinizing his leadership. LaPierre held the position of executive vice president and CEO at the NRA since 1991.

FILE - Wayne LaPierre, CEO and executive vice-president of the National Rifle Association, addresses the National Rifle Association Convention, April 14, 2023, in Indianapolis. The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) announced Friday, Jan 5, 2025, that LaPierre announced he is stepping down from his position as chief executive of the organization, effective Jan. 31 (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File) — Associated Press

The effective date of his resignation is Jan. 31, and Andrew Arulanandam, the head of General Operations, will serve as the interim CEO.

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LaPierre faces accusations of using over $64 million in cash from NRA donors, allegedly spending funds on personal trips and other expenses. In a statement accompanying his resignation, LaPierre expressed unwavering support for the NRA’s mission to defend Second Amendment freedom, stating, “My passion for our cause burns as deeply as ever.”

The 74-year-old cited health concerns in stepping down from his role, according to the NRA. The organization has encountered setbacks, experiencing a decline in both revenue and memberships. Despite the U.S. Supreme Court’s expansion of gun rights, the NRA shut down its online streaming network in 2019 and filed for bankruptcy in 2021, though the case was subsequently dismissed.

FILE - New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks to the media, Nov. 6, 2023, in New York. New York’s attorney general filed suit Wednesday, Dec. 20, against SiriusXM, accusing the satellite radio and streaming service of making it intentionally difficult for its customers to cancel their subscriptions. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File) — Associated Press

The NRA’s challenges continue as New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) prepares to initiate a lawsuit against the organization, Wayne LaPierre, and other executives on Monday, Jan. 8.

Tags: Gun control, Letitia James, National Rifle Association, New York City

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

WAYNE LAPIERRE, THE LONG-SERVING HEAD OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION RESIGNED FRIDAY AHEAD OF A NEW YORK CORRUPTION TRIAL EXAMINING HIS LEADERSHIP. LAPIERRE, SERVED AS THE NRA’S EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CEO SINCE 1991. HIS RESIGNATION TAKES EFFECT JAN. 31. ANDREW ARULANANDAM –THE HEAD OF GENERAL OPERATIONS – WILL TAKE OVER FOR LAPIERRE AS INTERIM CEO.

LAPIERRE IS ACCUSED OF ILLEGALLY DIVERTING MORE THAN $64 MILLION IN CASH FROM NRA DONORS AND SPENDING FUNDS ON PERSONAL TRIPS AND OTHER EXPENSES.

IN A STATEMENT RELEASED BY THE NRA ANNOUNCING THE RESIGNATION, LAPIERRE SAID:

“I’ve been a card-carrying member of this organization for most of my adult life, and 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.”

ACCORDING TO THE NRA, LAPIERRE IS STEPPING DOWN DUE TO HEALTH CONCERNS. HE IS 74 YEARS OLD.

THE NRA HAS SEEN SET-BACK IN RECENT YEARS — FACING A DECLINE IN BOTH REVENUE AND MEMBERSHIPS EVEN AS THE U.S. SUPREME COURT EXPANDS GUN RIGHTS. IN 2019 THE GUN RIGHTS ADVOCATE SHUT DOWN ITS ONLINE STREAMING NETWORK AND EVEN FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY IN 2021 ALTHOUGH THAT CASE WAS DISMISSED.

NEW YORK ATTORNEY GENERAL LETITIA JAMES’ LAWSUIT AGAINST THE NRA, LAPIERRE AND OTHER EXECUTIVES IS SCHEDULED TO START MONDAY.