Wayne Robert LaPierre Jr. (born November 8, 1949) is an American gun rights lobbyist and the longtime CEO and executive vice president of the National Rifle Association (NRA), a position he held from 1991 until 2024. He joined the NRA in 1977 after working as a legislative aide to a Democratic Virginia delegate and gun rights advocate, rising through the ranks to become executive vice president. Under his leadership, the NRA became a dominant and influential force in conservative gun rights advocacy, shaping the organization's political lobbying efforts, including relationships with figures like Senator Lindsey Graham, while advocating for Second Amendment rights, influencing Republican politics, and opposing gun control measures. His tenure was marked by significant growth in membership and political influence, but also by internal controversies, financial scrutiny, and legal battles, including allegations of lavish spending and mismanagement that led to his eventual resignation amid a New York Attorney General's investigation. Throughout his career, he has authored writings on gun rights and safety, served as an activist promoting firearms training and marksmanship, and is known for his staunch defense of gun ownership. His ideology aligns closely with conservative Republican values, emphasizing individual liberties and resistance to government overreach on firearm ownership. Despite these challenges, LaPierre remains a polarizing figure in the debate over gun rights and regulation in the United States.