Wayne LaPierre is the son of Robert LaPierre, Sr and Hazel Gordon.
Wayne LaPierre’s parents, Hazel (Gordon) and Wayne Robert LaPierre Sr., played integral roles in shaping the early years of the man who would go on to become the CEO and executive vice president of the National Rifle Association (NRA). Born into a family with a connection to the 17th century, the LaPierre lineage can be traced back to a French ancestor who embarked on a journey from the Brittany region of France to New France, now known as Quebec, Canada.
The elder Wayne LaPierre Sr. worked as an accountant for the local General Electric plant, grounding the family in a community where hard work and dedication were valued. This upbringing likely instilled in Wayne Jr. a strong work ethic and a sense of responsibility that would later manifest in his career as a government activist and lobbyist.
The LaPierre family’s journey continued as they moved to Roanoke, Virginia, when Wayne Jr. was just five years old. It was in this southern city that he was raised in the Roman Catholic church, and the values of faith and community would have undoubtedly influenced his personal and professional development.