Page 5 - ARUBA TODAY

A5
U.S. NEWS Thursday 27 June 2019

NRA splits with PR

firm, lobbyist and

TV amid infighting

By LISA MARIE PANE were “offensive and pa-
Associated Press tently false.”
Infighting at the National “For 24 years I have been a
Rifle Association exploded loyal and effective leader
Wednesday, when the in this organization,” he
powerful association sev- said.
ered ties with its longtime Cox played his usual promi-
public relations firm, sus- nent role at the NRA’s an-
pended operations of its nual meeting in Indianapo-
fiery online TV station and lis in April, and there was lit-
lost its top lobbyist. tle public evidence that he
The latest turmoil emerged and LaPierre or the NRA’s In this April 26, 2019 file photo, National Rifle Association Institute
just a year before the criti- board of directors were at for Legislative Action Executive Director Christopher W. Cox
cal 2020 presidential elec- odds. Infighting spilled out speaks at the NRA-ILA Leadership Forum in Lucas Oil Stadium
tions when the NRA’s ability during what is normally a in Indianapolis.
to influence the outcome pep rally of sorts among Associated Press
could decide the fate of gun-rights enthusiasts when threatening to investigate In a lawsuit, the NRA said
gun rights. Oliver North , then the NRA the NRA’s nonprofit status. some of its members had
Lobbyist Chris Cox, long president, threatened to The NRA was founded questioned NRATV’s weigh-
viewed as the likely succes- expose questionable per- shortly after the Civil War ing in on “topics far afield of
sor to longtime CEO Wayne sonal and travel expenses and is chartered in New the Second Amendment.”
LaPierre, was placed on unless LaPierre stepped York, giving that state In a statement Wednes-
administrative leave about down. Instead, LaPierre broad authority to investi- day, Ackerman McQueen
a week ago by the NRA, turned the tables on North gate its operations. accused the NRA of trying
which claimed he was part and accused him of trying During its two decades by to avoid its financial obliga-
of a failed attempt to ex- to extort him into submis- the NRA’s side, Ackerman tions by shuttering NRATV
tort LaPierre and push him sion. McQueen was responsible and implied its financial
out. Joel Friedman, a long- for crafting the associa- woes are partly the result of
It also came within hours time NRA board member, tion’s aggressive messag- now paying for high-priced
of the association officially told The Associated Press ing, including the now- lawyers.
severing ties with Acker- his first reaction when he famous “From my cold “When given the opportu-
man McQueen, the Okla- heard that Cox was step- dead hands” line uttered nity to do the right thing,
homa-based public rela- ping down was surprise. He by actor Charlton Heston in the NRA once again has
tions firm that has shaped said he saw no indications 2000 as he vowed to resist taken action that we be-
some of the NRA’s most during the annual meeting any effort to take away his lieve is intended to harm
memorable messages in that Cox was in a dispute guns. The line became a our company even at the
the past decades. with LaPierre. rallying cry for gun owners expense of the NRA itself,”
Cox had been the execu- LaPierre announced Cox’s around the country. the company said.
tive director of the NRA’s resignation in an email Ackerman McQueen also “For Ackerman McQueen,
lobbying arm, the Institute sent Wednesday to staff created and operated it is time to move on to a
for Legislative Action, since and NRA board members NRATV. new chapter without the
2002. that was obtained by the In a statement posted chaos that has enveloped
He was credited with lead- AP. The letter also said an Wednesday on the NRA the NRA,” the statement
ing efforts to allow a dec- investigation will continue website, LaPierre said it continued.
adelong ban on “assault into allegations that North would no longer be air- “Ackerman McQueen will
weapons” to expire in 2004, sought to extort LaPierre ing live programming and continue to fight against
an achievement that al- and that the storied Ma- would be evaluating the the NRA’s repeated viola-
lowed the gun industry to rine veteran was aided by station’s future. It wasn’t tions of its agreement with
resume selling what the in- Cox, a claim first laid out in clear what would happen our company with every
dustry calls “modern sport- a lawsuit filed June 19. to its prominent hosts but legal remedy available to
ing rifles” and critics claim In the past few months, there appeared to be no us, but we will always be
are used too often to exact the NRA has filed several signs those on-air person- proud of the work that we
mass carnage. lawsuits against Ackerman alities, who are employees completed during our 38-
His resignation was con- McQueen, accusing it of of Ackerman McQueen, year relationship on behalf
firmed by NRA spokesman refusing to document its would find spots at the of the individual citizens
Andrew Arulanandam. No billings and of seeking to NRA. that are the NRA.”q
other comment was im- undermine the association.
mediately made about his Ackerman McQueen has CAR RENTAL 5616944
departure. countersued, claiming the Address: Paramira #30 (Oranjestad) - Email: yessrentalcar@gmail.com - Website: www.yessrentalcar.com
Cox did not immediately NRA is trying to renege on
return a message seek- its financial obligations and We Rent:
ing comment. However, smear the public relations Cars- Vans - SUV
when he was suspended, firm.
Cox said in a statement Last year, NRA began ask-
obtained by The New York ing all of its vendors for
Times that allegations he detailed documentation
had been part of a group about its billings after New
seeking LaPierre’s ouster York authorities began