National Rifle Association Continues To Cut Staff & Pay Due To Coronavirus, CEO Wayne LaPierre Take Salary Cut

The National Rifle Association (NRA) has laid off or furloughed dozens of employees, as the coronavirus pandemic takes a financial toll on the gun rights organization.

In addition to cutting back on staff, the NRA has imposed a four-day workweek for some employees and reduced salaries, including that of CEO Wayne LaPierre.

LaPierre wrote in a memo to his staff that 20% salary cuts were across the board, but some senior staffers “voluntarily” took larger cuts. He added that the furloughs and changes would be temporary.

LaPierre earned about $2 million in compensation, according to the group’s most recent tax filings. The NRA did not say how large of a pay cut he will take.

The NRA was forced to cancel its in-person fundraisers, including its largest one — the national convention.

“The cancellation of the annual meeting had a significant financial impact but, beyond that, the health crisis has caused us to postpone countless fundraising and membership events along with competitions, training seminars and other revenue streams — those disruptions are the primary drivers of our decision-making process,” said Andrew Arulanandam, spokesman for the NRA. “Like every other business and nonprofit, we are forced to make tough choices in this new economic environment.”

Despite the financial hurdles the coronavirus outbreak has presented, the NRA has used the crisis to solidify gun rights.

The organization has filed lawsuits across the country in states that have shut down and deemed gun shops and shooting ranges as “non-essential” businesses.

“Defending freedom has never been easy. Over the years, we’ve weathered more tough times than most,” LaPierre said in an email to employees. “But we will rise from this stronger and well positioned to lead the fight to protect our Second Amendment, the First Amendment, and all our constitutional freedoms during the crucial upcoming elections and for years to come.”

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