Wayne LaPierre Fends Off NRA Backlash

The National Rifle Association, facing internal turmoil over its financial management, increasingly partisan tone, and legal threats from government regulators, beat back efforts to overhaul its operations Monday. Wayne LaPierre, the public face of the gun lobbying group for decades, fended off a backlash and was re-appointed as the gun lobby's CEO. It was unclear if the debate that has roiled the 5-million-member organization in recent weeks would still lead to significant changes in its operations, the AP reports. In recent days, retired Lt. Col. Oliver North lost a bid for a second term as president and the next likely successor was passed over in favor of Carolyn Meadows.

NRA insiders in recent weeks have described an operation with warring factions, a place where some are compensated richly, driving expensive cars and wearing fancy clothes, while most rank-and-file are paid so little that they hold down more than one job and risk being ostracized or fired if they question expenses. Despite the turmoil, LaPierre struck a cheery tone in a statement after the board meeting: "United we stand. The NRA board of directors, our leadership team, and our more than 5 million members will come together as never before in support of our country's constitutional freedoms." (President Trump says New York state's investigation of the NRA's finances is "illegal.")