Wayne LaPierre to step down as National Rifle Association leader, NRA says

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Wayne LaPierre, the longtime leader of the National Rifle Association, announced his resignation from the gun lobby on Friday, the NRA said in a statement.

"With pride in all that we have accomplished, I am announcing my resignation from the NRA," LaPierre said in the statement. "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."

(Reporting by Steve Holland; Writing by Doina Chiacu; Editing by)