Wayne LaPierre facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wayne LaPierre
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
LaPierre in 2017
|
|
| Born |
Wayne Robert LaPierre Jr.
November 8, 1949 Schenectady, New York, U.S.
|
| Education | Siena College (BA) Boston College (MA) |
| Occupation |
|
| Spouse(s) |
Susan Znidorka
(m. 1998) |
Wayne Robert LaPierre Jr. (born November 8, 1949) is an American lobbyist who worked to protect gun rights. He was the chief executive of the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) from 1991 until 2024.
Throughout his career, LaPierre's statements often caused public discussion. For example, he spoke out about federal agents after events at Ruby Ridge and Waco in 1995. This led former President George H. W. Bush to leave the NRA. LaPierre also disagreed with former President Bill Clinton's ideas on gun control. After school shootings like Sandy Hook and Stoneman Douglas, he suggested having armed officers in schools.
LaPierre has also supported more funding for mental health programs. He wanted stronger punishments for crimes involving guns. After the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting, he agreed with limiting certain rifle parts called "bump-fire" stocks.
On January 5, 2024, the NRA announced that LaPierre would step down from his role on January 31. This announcement came just before a civil trial in New York about how the organization's money was managed.
Contents
About Wayne LaPierre
Wayne Robert LaPierre, Jr. was born on November 8, 1949, in Schenectady, New York. He was the oldest child of Hazel and Wayne Robert LaPierre, Sr. His father worked as an accountant for General Electric. LaPierre's family history goes back to a French ancestor who moved to Canada in the 1600s. When LaPierre was five, his family moved to Roanoke, Virginia. He grew up in the Roman Catholic church. He did not serve in the military during the Vietnam War.
After his first marriage ended, LaPierre married Susan Znidorka in 1998.
His Work and Career
Wayne LaPierre has been involved in government and lobbying since he finished college. He has served on the boards of several groups. These include the American Association of Political Consultants and the American Conservative Union.
Working with the NRA
LaPierre joined the NRA in 1977. Before that, he worked for a politician in Virginia named Vic Thomas. Since 1991, LaPierre was the main leader of the NRA. The NRA is the largest group in the United States that supports gun rights and teaches gun safety. He announced he would leave the NRA on January 5, 2024. His resignation became official on January 31, 2024. Doug Hamelin was chosen to take his place as the new leader.
In 2014, the NRA received about $103 million in donations. LaPierre's earnings that year were about $985,885. In 2015, the NRA received about $95 million. That year, LaPierre also received a large payment from a special savings plan. This brought his total earnings for 2015 to over $5 million.
Questions About Spending
On August 6, 2020, the New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against the NRA and LaPierre. The lawsuit also included other NRA leaders. It claimed there were problems with how the organization's money was managed. It said that charitable funds were not used correctly. The NRA tried to move the case to Texas, but a judge said no. During the trial, questions were raised about LaPierre's earnings and money spent on personal items. These included things like expensive clothes and private jet flights.
In March 2022, a New York judge allowed the lawsuit against LaPierre and the NRA to continue. The civil trial ended on February 23, 2024. The jury decided that LaPierre had misspent some money. They ordered him to pay back about $4.3 million to the NRA. The jury also found that the NRA had not shared all information in its tax forms. They also said the NRA did not have a policy to protect people who report problems.
Ideas on Gun Rights
.JPG)
LaPierre has often said that schools should have "armed, trained, qualified school security personnel." After the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting on December 14, 2012, he held a press conference. He announced that Asa Hutchinson would lead the NRA's school safety program. LaPierre famously said, "The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is with a good guy with a gun."
LaPierre believed that events like the Sandy Hook shooting were caused by a lack of mental health support. He also blamed the widespread use of violent video games and movies.
LaPierre has supported several ideas:
- More money for a better mental health system. He also wanted to make it easier to help people with mental illness when needed.
- Creating a computer list of people who are legally unable to own guns due to mental health issues. This would help stop gun sales to them.
- Stronger enforcement of federal laws against violent gang members or criminals with guns.
- Programs like Project Exile. These programs give strict sentences for all gun crimes, especially illegal gun possession. LaPierre stated that by prosecuting these people, they stop future crimes. He said, "Leave the good people alone and lock up the bad people and dramatically cut crime."
- Rules for "bump-fire"-type rifle parts. He supported this after the 2017 Las Vegas mass shooting.
- Bans on fully automatic firearms.
See also
In Spanish: Wayne LaPierre para niños
