Retired lieutenant colonel Oliver North, the ex-Marine convicted and eventually exonerated in the Iran-Contra scandal, will become the next president of the National Rifle Association, the gun lobby’s top executive announced Monday. “This is the most exciting news for our members since Charlton Heston became President of our Association,” NRA executive vice president and CEO Wayne LaPierre said in a statement. “Oliver North is a legendary warrior for American freedom, a gifted communicator and skilled leader. In these times, I can think of no one better suited to serve as our president.” North, 74, will also immediately stop appearing as a commentator on Fox News, LaPierre said. He’s expected to officially come on board as president of the country’s largest gun lobby in “a few weeks,” according to LaPierre.
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