The National Rifle Association (NRA) is preparing staffers for salary cuts of 20 percent as well as layoffs due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to multiple media reports.
The leadership of the gun rights lobbying group sent a memo to staffers on Monday outlining the moves. The changes come as the organization’s annual meeting set for April has been canceled, as have upcoming fundraisers and programs.
NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre and other officials are taking a salary reduction of more than 20 percent, The Washington Post reported. In 2018, LaPierre made $2.2 million and his base salary was $1.27 million.
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The NRA employed 800 people in 2018, the Post reported, and its hourly workers’ schedules will be reduced from five to four days a week.
The NRA did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment.
Gun sales in the U.S. have surged due to the coronavirus pandemic, with consumers reportedly including both first-time buyers worried about the state of society and previous gun owners who are unsettled by the prospect of the government limiting gun purchases.
Last year, the NRA saw a decline in membership, a leadership exodus, allegations of misspending and a power struggle among its top ranks. It still has strong influence with President Trump
Donald John TrumpTrump fires intelligence community inspector general who flagged Ukraine whistleblower complaint Trump organization has laid off over 1000 employees due to pandemic: report Trump invokes Defense Production Act to prevent export of surgical masks, gloves MORE, who reversed his support for background checks following mass shootings in 2019 after pressure from the NRA. It spent $36 million backing him in the 2016 cycle.
In February, the NRA told The Hill it is also gearing up for the election fight this year.
“The NRA will be very active in 2020, as we are in every election cycle,” Amy Hunter, the NRA’s director of media relations, said at the time.