(Fairfax, VA) -- Tanya K. Metaksa has announced that she is assuming new responsibilities as senior advisor to the Executive Vice President of the National Rifle Association (NRA).

"This was a difficult decision for me," Metaksa said. "I am proud of the work I have accomplished in NRA's Institute for Legislative Action to preserve the Second Amendment. However, like presidential press secretaries and Members of Congress, there comes a time to move on," Metaksa explained. "This is the right time for me to embark on the next stage of my career."

"Although Tanya is leaving the day-to-day operations of ILA, she has agreed to be available to the Association on a regular basis," said Wayne LaPierre, NRA's Executive Vice President and CEO. "All of us at NRA appreciate Tanya's many years of dedication to our cause and are pleased that she will continue to be available to us in an advisory capacity to meet the challenges that lie ahead."

"I can't thank Wayne and the NRA Board of Directors enough for allowing me to remain involved in the future interests of NRA," Metaksa said. "As much as I am looking forward to the next stage in my career and spending more quality time with my grandchildren, I can't imagine a future without that commitment to the Second Amendment."

"Finally, I want to thank the ILA staff for working beside me through many tough political battles on the federal, state and local levels," Metaksa concluded. "I am proud of the work we have accomplished and appreciate your support of my decision."

LaPierre said a successor to Metaksa would be named in the near future. The NRA, founded in 1871, is the nation's oldest grassroots civil rights organization with a national membership of nearly three million.

(Webmaster Note: Apparently unofficially, Ms. Metaksa's replacement is reported to be former ILA Director James Baker).