 On June 20, 2019, the New York Times reported that Chris Cox "had been placed on administrative leave", and he subsequently resigned on June 26, 2019.Cox attended The Baylor School for grades 10–12, and is a graduate of Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in History.Before his career at the NRA, Cox served as a congressional aide on legislative issues relating to hunting sports and gun ownership for U.S. Rep. John S. Tanner [D-TN8, 1989–2010].