The Board of Directors for the National Rifle Association closed ranks around Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre over the weekend, voting 44-2 at their annual meeting to keep the embattled NRA leader in the position he’s held since 1991.
“The NRA is focused and energized – standing tall in the face of unprecedented attacks on our Association and constitutional freedoms,” LaPierre said in a statement. “I am honored by the trust placed in me by the NRA Board of Directors and the millions of patriots they represent. Together, we will continue to confront our adversaries, and fight for our freedoms and values. We are resolute in our mission as America’s greatest defender of constitutional freedom.”
Several attempts were made to oust LaPierre and the board that supports him, but they were quickly quashed.
Endowment Life Member Frank Tait reported that he introduced a resolution calling for the resignation of the officers and the board and stating that the current officers do not deserve to be reelected. Board member Joel Friedman objected to the resolution, according to Tait, and the objection was sustained on a 150-10-member vote.
SEE ALSO: NRA Director Files Motion for Board’s Dissolution as Only Way to Save Organization
During the board meeting, Judge Phil Journey nominated NRA Director Rocky Marshall to replace LaPierre as EVP. Journey was the first board member to publicly criticize the NRA, and he filed a motion in February to appoint an independent examiner to investigate allegations against the gun-rights organization.
Marshall told GunsAmerica that 44 board members voted for LaPierre while only two members voted for Marshall. Two additional members abstained from voting.
Marshall told us Journey’s nomination marked the first time in 20 years that a candidate was nominated to oppose LaPierre. He believes the board’s actions provide further justification that the board should be dissolved, as he asked the New York Supreme Court to do last month.
“The outcome was not a surprise, and it does reveal that the Board of Directors is fully supportive of Wayne in the midst of these scandals,” he said. “The Directors could have simply abstained and therefore sent a message that they did not support LaPierre. Instead, voted for him once again. This election is further validation that the Board of Directors will not address the problems and the only hope of saving the NRA is through the courts.”
SEE ALSO: NRA Files Amicus Brief Urging SCOTUS to Reverse Trumpstock Fiasco
The NRA has been locked in legal turmoil since New York Attorney General Letitia James launched an investigation into the organization for alleged mismanagement by leaders, including LaPierre. The AG accuses LaPierre of wasting member money on lavish private jet and yacht trips, clothing, hunting safaris, and expensive handouts to contractors and board members.
In total, James accuses LaPierre of wasting about $16 million since about 2014.
NRA leaders like Journey and Marshall have spoken up, but so far LaPierre has remained in his position.
Reading the comments the anti gun crowd will be ecstatic.
The devide and conquer technique is working.
The best wheelman stand on shore.
I first became a member in the early 70’s and I dropped out when when Lapierre went on his BS diatribe about Police Officer’s should be shot. As a Police Officer I was really offended. It almost turned me anti-gunner. I really thought these weirdo’s didn’t have the need for guns. The good thing was I still had the love for my guns and didn’t want to give My Guns Up! So any way I dropped out of the NRA for years until I decided to give them a second chance when Col North came aboard. I’m still a member but when my subscription runs out NO MORE. Lapierre should be in jail and so should others. I’m not contributing to a bunch of crooks hiding behind the name of the NRA.
I will get heat for this but Mr. Lepierre, despite some indiscretions, has done a lot of good for the NRA and will do what ever it take to defend it. Just the fact that he has been royally beaten up by a lot of the membership yet still stays in the game says a lot about his dedication to the NRA
👍
Dedication to the NRA, and his healthy paycheck therefrom, should not be misconstrued for dedication to the Second Amendment.
By keeping Wayne instead of bringing in new blood, the NRA has decided to snub a large portion of their membership. They basically just announced their intention to continue to capitulate on gun control, and not fight against it until they have no other choice. Let alone seek to peel back some of the unconstitutional laws that have been passed over the past 100 years.
This just confirms that if I want to donate to an organization to fight against gun control, it would be better spent elsewhere.
This SOB NEEDS TO Go! I figured out 15 yrs ago he isn’t doing anything for gun owners.
And then they’ll wonder what happened when NRA goes broke. I will no longer donate one cent to the NRA as long as W.LaP. and his cronies are in charge throwing away our money. BTW I’m a Life Member but I’m very much not satisfied with the NRA, just like America the NRA is rotting from the inside out.
I have been a member of the NRA for years. My wife and I are both Benefactor Life members. Also Golden Eagles. I have stopped donating because the NRA has lost its way. Wayne lives like an oligarch and is paid way to much! The whole board needs to be fired and new people brought in.
I am a long time NRA member and appreciate their efforts behind Illinois finally getting a ” shall issue” concealed carry law. I am also a believer in innocent until proven guilty. Unless I’ve missed something, allegations by anti-second amendment prosecutors will never rise to the level of a guilty verdict. It’s been said a Grand Jury could indict a peanut butter sandwich. My financial support will continue as long as the enemy continues to negate my rights. I also support a couple of newer “Gun Rights” organizations. Nothing like over whelming the opposition. God Bless us all.
Well said
I wont buy him any more 44,000 suites or what ever they more most of the people buy their cloths at walmart why cant here most of us cant afford JC Penny’s youll keep him dressed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A swamp is a swamp whether it’s DC or the NRA. IMHO the NRA has become business venture rather than a gun rights defense organization. It has simply lost its primary mission and focus. Until they clean house, they have lost my financial support. They have lost my financial support. I will support GOAL instead.
Until Wayne is gone along with the entire board, I will never support them again. And putting Charles Cotton in as president did nothing to help.
The NRA has been dead for decades. La Pierre was an aide to a leftist politician before coming to the NRA. The NRA voted in favor of the NFA, a violation of the 2nd amendment and has compromised with the ATF ever since. Anyone that supports the NRA is as worthless as La Pierre.
And this is one of the many reasons I left the NRA a long time ago. I want a no compromise 2A group and that’s the GoA. The NRA will never see a penny of my money or my support again until major changes are made.
I have continued my annual NRA membership renewals for the past thirty-some-odd years, sometimes in spite of the stupid political rhetoric the NRA stooped to using during Bill Clinton’s blowjob of a racketeering presidency. I accepted that they were about the only game in town who could stand up to the brain dead gun banners. But now that the vile, thieving corruption of narcissist Wayne LaPierre and his minions on the BoD has run the organization into bankrupt status, I am jumping off this ride. F*ck LaPierre. Drain this swamp, too.
And THIS is why people are getting fed up with the NRA.
This is a shame. Whats worse i was recently forced out of my gun club in las vegas because they require an nra membership to join. I told them i would not contribute money just to have it stolen by corrupt individuals. I instructed the club that i would re-join the nra when the criminals were procecuted and replaced. I told the club board that i will be supporting other pro 2nd amendment groups and i was told that it was unacceptable and told to pound sand. What a disgrace. Back into the dessert to shoot i guess.
I watched Oliver North and Chris Cox disappear without a realistic exit strategy. Tom Selleck quietly bows out. Then Ted Nugent eloquently exits stage right. I’m sorry I had to distance myself from the NRA.
I have been an NRA Life and now Endowment member for since Harlan Carter was President. I’ve met Wayne long ago and have seen the good stood for in the wake of the lefts onslaught over the years. However, I fear there has been improper use of NRA funds by members of the Board and staff uncovered by the likes of Col. Oliver North among others. The great majority of NRA fellows I speak have concluded that Wayne can no longer be an effective driving force in the leadership position while under the cloud allegations. Regardless of the NRA board’s vote of support, he doesn’t appear to have membership confidence. I submit THIS be put to a general vote! The entire NRA community should speak their voice on this subject in a special session. Respectfully,…
You sure aren’t a very good judge of character if you actually believe that Ollie North uncovered misuse of funds. Maybe you should do a little research and you’ll find Ollie was double dipping from the NRA – He was compensated for being President while also being paid for doing the advertising, not to mention perks received.
The fact that the vote was 44 to2 shows how inept and inbred the current board is; they all need to go along with Wayne. I’m also a Life Member (74 years old) but currently support GOA and other organizations with the interests of American shooters and gun owners at heart.
I’m a benefactor life member and will not give another penny until things change at the NRA!
Disappointing. Tait’s suggestion to dissolve the board and for Wayne to step down is a good one. The NRA’s reputation has been severely muddied by accusations of impropriety, self interest and cronyism. Whether LaPierre is guilty of wrongdoing is beside the point. The NRA needs new leadership and direction to have a chance at returning to the path established in 1871.
Wayne LaPierre has allowed his ego to destroy the organization he helped build into what it is today. He’s made this about him rather than about freedom and the Constitution. Single handedly he is reversing every single good thing the NRA has done for freedom over the last 30 years and its a damn shame. Like a politician he’s been there too long, 30 years, and he needs to go. He should have the decency and moral courage to step aside so the NRA can get back to business rather than spend all of its time defending him. There is no “I” in team.
I`m an endowment life member…and I hate to see this happening. We need all hands on deck right now against the democrats ( communists). Thank goodness the GOA and FPC are there.
Devide and conquer thats how the anti’s win.
I dumped these “tits on a boar” jokers when they endorsed demonrat Senate Speaker “Dingy” Harry Reid’s re-election in Nevada.
Since then, they regularly do one thing or don’t do another thing that reinforces my decision to depart.
GOA seems laser-focused on issues and grass roots supporter base, not trying to sell me insurance with every mailing.
Wayne LaPierre has kept the demo-dogs / gun control libs at bay nuff said.
You really credit that corrupt old tool with accomplishing all that? A lot of people have worked hard to keep the gun grabbers on the sidelines. Wayne LaPierre has always been a self-absorbed clown. The NRA is another swamp that needs to be drained.
It’s better for people to think you’re a fool, then to open your mouth and remove all doubt! nuff said fool!
Haven’t been a member in a long time. From the outside though this seems like bad news.
Well I will not be renewing my membership to the NRA. As long as Wayne is there they won’t get another cent from me to squander on his excesses. From the comments here, I am not alone.
They have seen my last membership renewal
This is NOT good news for the NRA. Apparently the BOD and LaPierre have decided to run the NRA into the ground. I fully intended to upgrade my membership level to BL from PL before I retire but now that’s not going to happen. I had also intended to leave my entire gun collection to the NRA, which is substantial.
That’s not going to happen if LaPierre and his gang of thieves continue to squander membership contributions. No more contributions from myself.
Man that’s really unfortunate. Though if you need a good place for your collection to go, I can help you find somewhere!
It’s me. I’m somewhere haha
Yes, it IS unfortunate, but now I can save my money by not having to modify my Will AND pay the benefactor level fees.
Until I see the BOD get serious about cleaning the NRA’s swamp it’s status quo for me.
I heard about 10 years ago that LaPierre’s salary was about $900,000/ year.
I’m an Endowment member, but the NRA doesn’t get another cent from me until LaPierre is gone.
Ditto. He’s way past his usefulness and his presence only divides the membership.
Ditto.
When Ted Nugent quit the board, I knew it was a $h1t show. Lapierre didn’t have to use Dominion voting machines to win, because the remaining board members are bought and paid for. Follow the money!
It’s my understanding that uncle Ted hadn’t been to a board meeting in a couple of decades. Ted is all about Ted. Period.
The issue here is that LaPierre is all about LaPierre. At least Nugent didn’t run the organization into bankruptcy. There is NO excuse for that level of horrendous mismanagement.
“Even the Look of Impropriety”.
Clearly embattled. Compromising. Not unifying.
We need a new non swamp leader.
Someone that can use their energy for the protection of the 2nd. Promoting gun safety, shooting sports and this horrible congress we are currently fighting.
Not lining their own and friends pockets.
I’m a life member and I have the latest ballot for the board. I’m not going to bother sending it in.
My enthusiasm for supporting NRA has declined considerably, and there’s no evidence that this bloated, dysfunctional Board of Directors has any capacity for rational thought. On the flip side, GOA and 2AF are benefitting from my change in direction👌
I dropped my membership with the NRA when they caved to the Progressive, Liberal, Demoncrap, Commies on some very important issues and have not rejoined since and will NEVER rejoin. I am a LIfetime member of GOA, SAF CCRKBA.
The NRA will continue to suffer a steep decline in membership and thus influence unless and until Wayne is given the boot.
Spot on. I’m a Life Member but they won’t get another dime from me until he’s gone. He has done more in the last two years for the anti-freedom anti-constitution gun grabber movement than anything the Brady Campaign, Everytown and Gabby Giffords could have hoped to do.
Not just Wayne, but all of the 42 that voted for him! I became a life member in the 80’s, and shortly afterwards (1990’s) I quit all support for the NRA because of Wayne, when he became the CEO and Executive Vice President. La Pierre is a leftist gun owner, he does NOT support the 2nd amendment.
It is a shame LaPierre survived the vote. I am sure he is getting paid a hefty salary but yet he still bills his wardrobe to the membership. How ridiculous and greedy can you get. I am sure that several youth training programs would greatly benefit versus LaPierre’s wardrobe!