Guns & America

Guns & America is a groundbreaking new national reporting collaborative in which 10 public media newsrooms, including Ideastream Public Media, will train their attention on a singular issue: the role of guns in American life. Over the course of two years, the stations will report on how guns impact us as Americans, from the cultural significance of hunting and sport shooting, to the role guns play in suicide, homicide, mass shootings and beyond. Follow our reporting at gunsandamerica.org.

NRA President Forced Out Amid Leadership Fight

By Jeremy Bernfeld

Published April 27, 2019 at 5:10 PM EDT

President Donald Trump addresses the National Rifle Association’s annual convention in Indianapolis, Ind., April 26, 2019.

Amid an internal struggle over the direction of the National Rifle Association (NRA), the group’s president Lt. Col. Oliver North (ret.) announced at the NRA’s annual convention that he would not seek another term.

In a letter read to members of the group Saturday, North advocated for a review of NRA finances and said he had been pushed out.

North’s announcement comes after an effort by some members of the group to oust longtime NRA chief executive Wayne LaPierre.

LaPierre, who has long held sway as a leading gun rights advocate, said this week that North had tried to push him out by threatening to release damaging information about him to the board, according to the Associated Press.

The leadership struggle highlights a turbulent time at the NRA, as the group deals with reported financial difficulties, accusations of financial wrongdoing, and the threat of increased scrutiny by regulators.

LaPierre spoke to the convention shortly after NRA board member Richard Childress read the statement from North. LaPierre was met with a standing ovation.

The NRA Board is slated to meet on Monday.