LaPierre reelected as NRA's CEO, Charles Cotton as president

The National Rifle Association has reelected CEO Wayne LaPierre to his post and Charles Cotton as president, in an apparent effort to stick with longtime leadership amid renewed calls for gun control over ousting top executives associated in recent years with the group's financial and legal problems.

The election results arrived at the ending of the organization's annual meeting, this year held in Houston and that started three days after a mass-shooting in Uvalde, Texas, in which 19 elementary school students and two teacher were killed. 

"The NRA stands strong, safe and secure," Cotton said after his reelection. "We have never been better positioned to protect the Second Amendment or lend our collective voices in support of important issues like school security."

LaPierre said he was "honored to continue my work for the NRA, and to join our members in their campaign to promote responsible gun ownership and defend Second Amendment freedom for all law-abiding Americans."

LaPierre, who soared past a challenge from former Texas Republican Party Chairman Allen West to win another term as executive vice president of the organization, also recognized the victims of the school shooting, which has Washington Democrats calling for tougher gun-control legislation and the top Senate Republican, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell making an effort toward bipartisan legislation in response to the shooting. 

LaPierre called for increased mental health services and action to ensure that schools are "more safe and secure."

Last year, the group attempted to file for bankruptcy in an alleged effort to avoid an effort by New York Attorney General Letitia James to shutter the organization over claims of mismanagement and abuse of power. But a  federal bankruptcy judge ruled that the filing had not been done in good faith. 

The NRA was under increased scrutiny heading into this year's annual meeting after two back-to-back mass shootings that have increased Democratic focus on the NRA's lobbying efforts – the in one in Texas and another, at a Buffalo, N.Y., supermarket earlier this month, in which 10 people were killed. 

Texas GOP Sen. John Cornyn did not attend this year's NRA meeting, canceling his planned appearance due to personal matters, according to his office. Nor did Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R), who canceled last minute following the Uvalde shooting. Sen. Ted Cruz (R) and former President Donald Trump went ahead with scheduled appearances.