NRA reelects Wayne LaPierre as CEO, days after Texas school massacre

The National Rifle Association’s board of directors reelected its controversial leader Wayne LaPierre as CEO on Monday at its annual meeting in Houston, barely a week after a mass shooting in the state that left 19 children and two adults dead.

The NRA’s convention was held some 300 miles from Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.

The NRA’s longtime leader LaPierre, who received 54 out of 55 votes, has been accused of misusing funds and could face trial in New York State next year. He’s also been criticized by others within the organization for not carrying a personal firearm.

LaPierre received almost unanimous support from the board over Lt. Col. Allen West, who recently launched a takeover campaign of the association. West received one vote.

In a statement Monday, the association added that Charles Cotton was reelected as president of the board.

The organization also passed a resolution that offered universal support — ”past, present and future” — for LaPierre, who was born in upstate Schenectady, N.Y.

Wayne LaPierre prepares to speak at the George R. Brown Convention Center during the National Rifle Association (NRA) annual convention on May 27, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (BRANDON BELL/)

LaPierre, who has served as the NRA’s leader since 1991, had been confronted during the organization’s annual meeting by activists from comedy duo the Good Liars, video of which has been viewed more than 2 million times.

“We spoke directly to Wayne LaPierre at the NRA Convention and thanked him for all his thoughts and prayers,” the group wrote on Twitter, mocking politicians’ typical response after a mass shooting.

In the video, a man steps up to a microphone during a Q&A session and sarcastically praises LaPierre.

“My name is Jason Selvig and I’m from West Palm Beach, Fla., and I would like to say that I am sick and tired of the left-wing media and frankly, people in this room today,” he said.

He ends with a zinger: “And if we give enough of these thoughts and these prayers these mass shootings will stop. So I want to thank you Wayne LaPierre for all your thoughts and all your prayers.”

Under LaPierre, the NRA has been a supporter of Republican candidates and backed former President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign.

Over the past few years, LaPierre and other NRA executives have faced allegations that they misused NRA funds. New York Attorney General Letitia James sued the NRA, LaPierre and other top executives in 2020 over allegations of financial misconduct. The defendants have denied wrongdoing.