Wayne LaPierre

Wayne LaPierre is the CEO of the National Rifle Association (NRA). LaPierre's total compensation from the NRA was $948,858 in 2009.

Ties to American Legislative Exchange Council
The NRA is a longtime member of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and previously, for many years until early-2011, co-chaired the Public Safety and Elections Task Force.

Background
The NRA was founded in 1871, to "promote and encourage rifle shooting on a scientific basis," according to its website. Affiliated organizations include the Institute for Legislative Action, the NRA's lobbying arm, and the NRA Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, which provides money "to fund gun safety and educational projects of benefit to the general public." During the 2010 election cycle, "the NRA spent more than $7.2 million on independent expenditures at the federal level -- messages that advocate for or against political candidates. These messages primarily supported Republican candidates or opposed Democratic candidates."