US gun lobby chief Wayne LaPierre ‘to resign’ days before trial

Mr LaPierre, 74, has led the NRA’s day-to-day operations since 1991, acting as the face and vehement voice of its gun rights agenda.

Wayne LaPierre, chief executive and executive vice-president of the National Rifle Association (Darron Cummings/AP)

The longtime head of the US National Rifle Association has said he is resigning, just days before the start of a civil trial over allegations he diverted millions of dollars from the powerful gun rights organisation to pay for personal travel and other lavish perks.

Wayne LaPierre, the executive vice president and chief executive officer, said his departure is effective from January 31.