Former NRA-ILA Director of Communications James (Jim) O.E. Norell passed away this week at the age of 74. The first to serve in that role, Jim acted as the voice of freedom for more than 40 years.
“Jim Norell spent a lifetime in service to our Second Amendment freedom,” said NRA EVP and CEO Wayne LaPierre. “He fought throughout his lifetime with words that made an immeasurable difference—words that defended firearms in the hands of good, law abiding, patriotic Americans. His words helped change the course of American history. He was a good friend and patriot. God bless him. I’m going to miss him.”
NRA American Rifleman wrote a tribute to Jim that details his many accomplishments. Among them were helping to pass the 1986 Firearm Owner’s Protection Act, creating the advocacy journal “Reports From Washington” and producing the hard-hitting documentary It Can’t Happen Here.
