Tom Selleck, in May 2012, promoted a film titled "Jesse Stone" titled "Benefit of the Doubt," which aired on CBS. (Photo: Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY & # 39; HUI)

Tom Selleck leaves the board of the National Rifle Association, confirmed his publicist at USA TODAY.

The star of "Blue Bloods", one of the NRA's most famous supporters, has been a member of the board since 2005 and was re-elected for his fifth three-year term last year. He first joined the organization at the age of 8 years old.

According to the website of the group National Museum of Firearms, Selleck donated 11 firearms, many of which used as props in his 2003 film "Monte Walsh".

Selleck, 73, also appeared in print ads for the NRA, including a controversial one in 1999 where he posed with a rifle on his shoulder accompanied by the slogan "Shooting teaches young people good things". He drew criticism for his schedule, which came a month after the massacre at Columbine High School.

Her publicist, Annett Wolf, referred USA TODAY to the statement she made to The Trace, an online publication devoted to firearms information, where she stated that Selleck was retiring because of her schedule work, but would remain a member.

Asked by USA TODAY about the projects Selleck is currently working on, Wolf cites "Blue Bloods", CBS's crime drama in which he plays Police Commissioner and father Frank NYPD. He returns for his ninth season on September 28 (10 EDT / PDT).

"It has nothing to do with politics," Wolf said in his statement. "He has never been active on the board or anything that the NRA engages in. He has almost always been a quiet member of the board."

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