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.
GunOwnersAlliance.com ^ | 17 January 2005 | Neal Knox and Jay Knox (Neal's wife)
From the Desk of Neal Knox
The Firearms Coalition PO Box 3313 Manassas, VA 20108
Written on 05 January 2005 by Neal Knox before his death
Dear Friends,
I"™ve always made it a point to deliver the news to you straight - goodor bad. Now I"™m afraid I have some unpleasant news. As you"™re aware, I have been fighting colon cancer for the past year. The doctors tell me that my fight is almost over.
I believe in miracles. I believe in God"™s healing power and eternal life through Jesus Christ. I know it will take nothing short of a miracle for me to win this battle.
Should that miracle be granted, I will rejoice; but I rejoice nonetheless, for I"™ve been blessed with a wonderful life, a great family, work that I love, and many wonderful friends. Most of all, I thank God for my long-suffering wife Jay Janen who not only put up with me, but has actively supported my efforts for the Second Amendment for nearly forty-nine years.
It"™s been a great run!
I had always assumed that long life was my birthright. My father passed away just this past fall at the age of ninety-two.
I counted on the same sort of life-span and was planning accordingly. We"™ve barely settled into that house in the country that I"™ve been promising Jay for so long. I started rebuilding her classic Mustang convertible and have it in pieces in the basement garage. I"™ve laid out a 100- yard range next to the house, and was looking forward to having my dear friend Ken Oehler help me set up a ballistics lab in the basement.
Time for those projects was budgeted into the next generation of the Firearms Coalition. The plan was to have sons, Chris and Jeff take more prominent roles in the fight, freeing me up to do other things like shooting and writing books. Jeff moved out here for that purpose over a year ago but my illness sidetracked those plans.
I have long wanted to evolve the Firearms Coalition into a resource for grassroots activists and organizations. The goals of the Coalition would be to provide activists with the resources, training, and technology they need to be more effective in the fight.
Now, I hope you will help Jay and the boys as it looks like they will be taking on this important task without me.
There will be more details in the weeks and months to come, including a new book that Chris, Jeff and I have been collaborating on. I regret that I am unlikely to see it in print, but I am confident in their ability to see it through.
I am thankful for you and the many other friends that have blessed my life making me a truly wealthy man. There have been disagreements, even fights, but the goal of freedom has been a unifying force.
I ask your prayers, both for me and for my family, especially for Jay who never expected to see me go first.
I urge you to continue the fight. Continue your support of the ongoing efforts of the Firearms Coalition and keep the grass roots growing.
Thank you for keeping me in the fight for all these years.
As always: Yours for the Second Amendment,
Neal
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From Jay Janen Knox (Neal Knox's wife):
Neal passed away early this morning, January 17, 2005. He was surrounded by our children and his brothers and went quickly without pain.
A memorial service has been scheduled for Thursday, January 20, 2005 at the Manassas Church of Christ, 8110 Signal Hill Road in Manassas, Virginia. The service will begin at 10:30 AM with a luncheon to follow.
It was Neal"™s wish that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Firearms Coalition or to Rainbow Children"™s Home in Gainesville, VA.
Firearms Coalition P.O. Box 3313 Manassas, VA 20108
Rainbow Christian Services 6004 Artemus Rd. Gainesville, VA
Neal"™s condition deteriorated so rapidly that there wasn"™t time to get the letter above out before his death. He very much wanted to let his friends and supporters know what was going on. We will post more information on the web site, http://www.NealKnox.com
I can"™t tell you how much Neal has loved the difficult work to which he dedicated his life. It has cost us much while at the same time being extremely rewarding in so many ways. The greatest reward has been the love and friendship that we have found along the way.
Man that sure took courage to write that and, more importantly, to live it. God bless and keep him and comfort his family in this difficult time for them.
__________________
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Gun Rights Activist Knox Dies
