NRA head Wayne LaPierre stepping down

Wayne LaPierre, the head of the National Rifle Association, plans to step down from his position at the end of the month, the company confirmed in a statement Friday.

Why it matters: The NRA is one of the country's most powerful lobbying groups and LaPierre has helped lead the organization since 1991.

The big picture: “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,” LaPierre said in a statement announcing his resignation.