Wayne LaPierre is resigning.

[Jim Kennedy-ar154me]

I personally think this is a good thing. The speculation about corruption and misspent funds has followed him for a few years now.



https://www.foxnews.com/politics/wayne-lapierre-announces-resignation-nra-chief

[alfsauve]

Sadly probably only the tip of the iceberg.  The front man for the problems.  The infrastructure that supported him and kept him in office is still there.  This is what happens to many representative organizations over time, be it the US Congress or the NRA, it takes too many people to make too many changes to really make any at all.

[Big Frank]

The NRA did a lot of good work with him leading the way, but he probably should have resigned when the charges of corruption started. Guilty or not, it's better for the organization not to have that kind of controversy.

[alfsauve]

Riddle me this?

What was the time of the official announcement and press conference?

The earliest report from major news I can find was Fox at about 2pm EST.

Why, 6+ hours later, have I not received a direct communication from the NRA?


Possibly this is indicative of the low priority the organization holds the membership.

[Rastus]

Lapierre made a maneuver that changed the ability to unseat him.  I forget exactly what that was but it was bull$hit. 

I actually met him and shook his hand at the big Tulsa gun show maybe 20 years ago.  I remember him having girlie hands...but then he is a lawyer, right?

[Sponsor]

[MikeBjerum]

Lapierre made a maneuver that changed the ability to unseat him.  I forget exactly what that was but it was bull$hit. 

I remember the move. Can't remember exactly when, but it was before the big public splash of misuse of funds or the attempts by a
Russian to get in. As I recall he pretty much removed the Board from the accountability process.

I have been on a couple non-profit organization boards. One we were pretty much just there to fulfill the legal requirements of being a 501c3. The other was a well operating organization. However, it was always a constant task to maintain balance of letting the Director do their job of running operations and not letting them take full control of the organization. Wayne managed to take full control, and he found a way to be his own supervisor.

[Rastus]

That's pretty much what I remember

[alfsauve]

So now it's been about 24hours.  I just checked and yes I'm on several NRA mailing lists.  Nada.  Any other NRA members out there received any official announcement?   This sticks in my craw.   It's as if members don't really matter.

[Rastus]

I don't have anything and I'm on at least one or two mailing lists.  Life Member since the mid-80's when I could finally afford it.

[Rastus]

Just checked.  It's on the website. 

Now we'll see if one of his handpicked guys gets on....probably.  The "right guy" will be the one willing to reverse the centralization of power in the NRA.

https://home.nra.org/statements/nra-evp-wayne-lapierre-announces-resignation-from-nra/
The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) announced today that Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre announced he is stepping down from his position as chief executive of the organization, effective January 31. Long-time NRA executive and Head of General Operations Andrew Arulanandam will become the interim CEO & EVP of the NRA.

“With pride in all that we have accomplished, I am announcing my resignation from the NRA,” says Wayne LaPierre. “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."

During an NRA Board of Directors meeting today in Irving, Texas, NRA President Charles Cotton reported that he accepted LaPierre’s resignation. According to the NRA, LaPierre cited health reasons as a reason for his decision. The NRA continues its defense of a lawsuit by the New York Attorney General, and LaPierre is an individual defendant in that action. It is well-known that the NYAG vowed to pursue the NRA when she was candidate for her office and, upon being elected, filed a lawsuit to dissolve the Association in August 2020. Trial proceedings in that case begin Monday.

In March 2022, the NRA scored a major legal victory, when a New York court dismissed the NYAG’s claims to dissolve the organization. The court issued an opinion that vindicates the NRA’s position: the NYAG’s effort to shut down the Association ran afoul of common sense, New York law, and the First Amendment. Since then, the NRA maintains that it is committed to good governance. With respect to the NYAG’s allegations, the NRA Board of Directors reports it has undertaken significant efforts to perform a self-evaluation, recommended termination of disgraced “insiders” and vendors who allegedly abused the Association, and accepted reimbursement, with interest, for alleged excess benefit transactions from LaPierre, as reported in public tax filings.

LaPierre said, “I am proud of the NRA’s advocacy in New York and, through it all, determination to defend the Second Amendment. I can assure you the NRA’s mission, programming, and fight for freedom have never been more secure. What makes the NRA unlike any other advocacy organization is the depth and experience of its professional team, the unwavering support of its members, and its fighting spirit. I have enormous confidence in our board of directors, executive leadership team, and my long-time colleague Andrew Arulanandam. Andrew knows every facet of this organization and has stood shoulder-to-shoulder with me in every arena imaginable. Andrew knows how to help the NRA win – he’s been one of the key authors of our playbook for decades.”

Cotton said, “On behalf of the NRA Board of Directors, I thank Wayne LaPierre for his service. Wayne has done as much to protect Second Amendment freedom as anyone. Wayne is a towering figure in the fight for constitutional freedom, but one of his other talents is equally important: he built an organization that is bigger than him. Under the direction of Andrew Arulanandam, the NRA will continue to thrive – with a renewed energy in our business operations and grassroots advocacy. Our future is bright and secure.”