NRA Names Oliver North Next President

Oliver North, the retired Marine Lt. Col. convicted in the Iran-Contra affair, has been named the next president of the National Rifle Association, the group 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, referencing the second amendment activist and actor, who famously said his guns could only be taken from his “cold, dead hands.” “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,” he continued. North will leave his position as a Fox News contributor and take over as president “within a few weeks,” according to the statement. The decision comes amid heightened national scrutiny on the gun industry and a widespread push for significant gun control reforms, exacerbated in the wake of the mass shooting in Parkland, Fla. that claimed 17 lives. Comments The NRA has come under fire in recent months for opposing what critics view as reasonable restrictions on gun ownership, including raising the minimum purchase age to 21 and banning the sale of so-called assault-style weapons, similar to the one used in the Parkland massacre...MORE