NEAL KNOX
R.I.P.

A legend in gun rights activism has passed away. Neal Knox succumbed on
January 17th after a long battle with cancer.

Neal’s list of accomplishments was incredible. A trained journalist, he
was the founding editor of Gun Week, now published by the Second Amendment
Foundation, as well as the editor and publisher of Rifle and Handloader
magazines.

Neal demonstrated exceptional hands-on expertise as well, winner of the
1974 National Heavy Varmint Rifle championship. He was an active long
range rifle and trap and skeet shooter as well, winning several regional
championships. He was also a co-developer and patent holder for Pyrodex
powder.

A vocal and articulate advocate of the Second Amendment and the rights of
gun owners, he first testified before Congress in 1966 against what was to
become the Gun Control Act of 1968. Neal was appointed Executive Director
of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action by then-NRA President Harlon
Carter, in 1978. Neal was a leader of the 1977 “Revolt in Cincinnati,”
where, for a time at least, voting NRA members took back control of the
Association.

In 1984 Neal formed the Firearms Coalition, an independent pro-gun
lobbying organization, where he published legislative updates called the
Hard Corps Report. Neal’s columns and legislative reports were also
published in a number of magazines, most recently in Shotgun News.

Neal served several terms on the NRA Board of Directors, and was a vice
president of that organization for three years.

Neal was a friend and supporter of the WAC as well. During the fight in
1997 over I-676, the handgun owner licensing initiative, Neal made several
trips to Washington, including WAC gun shows.

While some may have disagreed with his no-compromise stance on the Second
Amendment, all agree that he was a gentleman to the end. Neal is survived
by his wife, Jay, four children and numerous grandchildren.