77,246 people gather for the NRA Annual Convention
Indianapolis, IN – The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) announces the election results from its Board of Directors meeting held in Indianapolis, IN. Charles Cotton was re-elected President of the NRA, former Congressman Bob Barr was elected First Vice President, and David Coy was re-elected Second Vice President. Wayne LaPierre was once again elected CEO and Executive Vice President.
In recognition of his extraordinary leadership over the past two years, the NRA Board of Directors voted unanimously to amend its charter to allow Cotton to succeed himself for a third term. In addition to his responsibilities as president of the NRA, Cotton is Chairman of the Audit Committee and a transformational leader.
LaPierre was re-elected to the NRA Board of Directors, which annually elects the CEO/EVP. The Board of Directors is elected by the members of the ANR. This followed a vote at the NRA members’ meeting on April 15, 2023, where members expressed their confidence in Mr. LaPierre. The weekend festivities were preceded by the NRA-Institute for Legislative Action on April 14, 2023, a gathering of thousands of pro-Second Amendment elected officials, presidential candidates and grassroots supporters.
These announcements capped off a multi-day annual NRA meeting in Indianapolis that remembered people affected by the recent violence. NRA officials and guests used the meetings as a platform to support increased security measures in public places, invest in law enforcement and push for better mental health services. During today’s meeting, the NRA recognized members of the US military, law enforcement personnel and others who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Deputy Mark Johns received the NRA Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award for his heroic efforts to protect fellow officers injured in a shooting in August 2022. While the deputy Johns and two other officers were serving a warrant, were harassed by gunshots. One of the officers was shot and Deputy Johns helped carry him to safety. Constable Johns himself was also shot by the assailant, but returned fire to force the criminal to flee, leading to his capture. The actions of Deputy Johns are a credit to the department, his community, and his highest commitment to public service.
“The courage of Representative Johns is a stark reminder that our communities are far too often affected by acts of heinous and senseless crime,” says Charles Cotton. “Under the leadership of the board and Mr. LaPierre, the NRA will join the chorus of voices demanding that America answer the wake-up call: get tough on crime, invest in mental health, and give police officers all the resources available to keep us safe. The NRA continues to support the idea that public places should be protected, no matter the cost or political drawbacks.”
Wayne LaPierre said: “The NRA will continue its noble mission to protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans and our duty to promote firearms training and responsible gun ownership. We will invest in public safety through our work with members of law enforcement. And we will never walk away from the fight for freedom or using our collective voices to lead the charge for safer communities.”
John Frazer was reappointed as NRA Secretary/General Counsel and Sonya Rowling as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Randy Kozuch was named Executive Director of the Institute for Legislative Action; and Joseph DeBergalis, Jr., was named Executive Director of General Operations.
The Annual Meeting proceedings involved an estimated 77,246 invitees. The event takes place next year in Dallas.
Incorporated in 1871, the National Rifle Association is the oldest civil rights organization in the United States. Together with our millions of members, we are proud supporters of the patriots of history and diligent protectors of the Second Amendment.