NRA: Palin to make meeting keynote speech

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 26 (UPI) -- The National Rifle Association said former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will make the keynote speech at the group's annual meeting in Charlotte, N.C.

NRA Executive Director Wayne LaPierre said in a statement his group was proud to have the former Republican vice presidential nominee serve as the keynote speaker at May's annual meeting, The Hill reported Friday.

"Gov. Palin is one of the most requested speakers in America today," LaPierre said. "She's an outdoorsman, hunter and a steadfast supporter of our Second Amendment freedom. We are pleased to have a fellow NRA member speak at our 139th annual meeting in Charlotte this May."

The Hill said the speech could prove invaluable to Palin as the association, as well as gun owners, is very active in Republican primary politics.

Palin, who previously spoke about hunting in Alaska, has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.