Iowan Pete Brownell elected president of the NRA

Iowa gun-seller Pete Brownell has been elected president of the National Rifle Association.

The CEO of Brownells Inc., which calls itself the world's largest supplier of firearm accessories, Brownell is a lifetime NRA member who has served in several roles with the pro-gun group. The NRA's board of directors voted May 1 at its annual meeting in Atlanta to install Brownell as president.

The election places an Iowa-native and a prominent local businessman and Republican activist near the top of the world's largest gun advocacy group and one the nation's most influential lobbying entities.

A spokesman for Brownell said he plans to focus on inclusiveness, safety and training during his two-year term as president.

"Pete will also focus on making sure the NRA, and the Second Amendment, is for everyone," Ryan Repp, a Brownells spokesman, said in an email. "More specifically, he and NRA staff will continue to develop programs that reach out to people of all ages, sex, race, and sexual orientation."

Brownell is known for helping expand his family company from a niche supplier of gunsmithing tools to catalog- and internet-based retailer that sells firearms, ammunition and gun parts around the world.

Based in Montezuma, Brownells Inc. was founded in the 1939 by Pete Bownell's grandfather. Brownell was named CEO of the company in 2008. Under his leadership, the company has grown 10-fold, according to a new release from the NRA.

Last year, the company opened a 200,000-square-foot warehouse and a 7,000-square-foot retail shop in Grinnell.

The NRA's president serves as chairman of the board. Day-to-day operations are run by CEO and executive vice president Wayne LaPierre, who was re-elected to those positions at the annual meeting.

Brownell is the second Iowan to hold the position, according to a spokesman for Brownells, Inc. Former deputy Des Moines Police Chief Kayne Robinson served as the NRA president from 2003 to 2005.

Brownell will continue to serve as CEO of his family company, but day-to-day operations will be handled by chief operations and chief financial officer Chad Martin.

The NRA said Brownell's "entire life has been dedicated to the outdoors and shooting traditions."

Brownell was elected to the NRA board of directors in 2010, and has served as chairman of its membership committee, and a member of its finance, law enforcement assistance, publications policies and sport shooting committees.

He was elected second vice president of the NRA in 2013 and was elected first vice president in 2015. He becomes the 64th president of the NRA, succeeding Allan D. Cors.

“I’m a proud NRA member from day one who grew up with a passion for guns, our rich hunting heritage, and a passion to strengthen our Second Amendment," Brownell said in a news release.

Brownell has been active in Republican politics and pro-gun causes.

Leading up to the 2016 Iowa caucuses, The Register named Brownell the 15th most influential Republican in the state. At least three Republican presidential candidates made campaign stops at Brownells' new warehouse and retail shop during the caucuses.

In 2016, the Iowa Legislature passed a bill legalizing firearm suppressors; Gov. Terry Branstad signed the bill into law at Brownells' Grinnell store with Brownell standing behind him.

Brownell published a campaign-style website for his election to the NRA board, in which he details his background and his vision for the NRA.

“Defending the Second Amendment rights of good, honest and responsible gun owners is synonymous with protecting the core values that make America great," he wrote on the website.