Wayne LaPierre resigns as leader of NRA

The head of the National Rifle Association, Wayne LaPierre, will resign from his position at the end of the month, right before an upcoming civil suit that the group is involved in.

“With pride in all that we have accomplished, I am announcing my resignation from the NRA,” LaPierre said in a statement on Friday, according to The Hill. “I’ve been a card-carrying member of this organization for most of my adult life, and I will never stop supporting the NRA and its fight to defend Second Amendment freedom. My passion for our cause burns as deeply as ever."

The 74-year-old cited health issues as his reason for resignation, which will take place on Jan. 31. 

The NRA is currently involved in a New York civil lawsuit that alleges that LaPierre and other members spent the advocacy group's money on luxury trips and different perks. 

The lawsuit was brought by state Attorney General Letitia James, who alleges the NRA created “a culture of self-dealing, mismanagement and negligent oversight," costing the group millions of dollars. 

The NRA has denied any wrongdoing and the case is set to start Jan. 8.