Gun Rights Activist Paul Harrell Has Passed Away After Battle with Pancreatic Cancer

Gun rights activist and firearms aficionado Paul Harrell passed away, with his death likely occurring on Sept. 3, 2024. In a video titled "I'm Dead," posted on his official YouTube channel on the same day, Paul — who recorded the video on Dec. 20, 2023 — explained that if viewers were watching it, he had passed away. He shared that he instructed his editor, production team member, and manager, Brad Nelson, to upload the video upon his death.

Just an hour before the video's release, attorney Tom Grieve confirmed Paul's passing on X (formerly Twitter). So, what happened to Paul Harrell? Here's everything we know about his health and cause of death.

In July 2023, Paul first shared with his followers that he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He said at the time that it was Stage 2 and that he would be around “for a long time” but that doesn’t change the fact that pancreatic cancer has just a 10 percent survival rate. Usually, the only people who survive pancreatic cancer are those who find it before there are symptoms, but Paul said he had about a 1-5 years prognosis.

At the time, rumors spread about his condition, so he clarified in a comment: “Some people have erroneously posted online that I'm ‘Stage 4.’ I am NOT. It was caught very early and I'm going to be here for a long time. I posted this video for two reasons: 1) to head off comments telling me I look tired/bad/etc. 2) to get out in front of the lies stalkers will tell.”

But on Jan. 6, 2024, Paul introduced his channel to his brother, Roy. He explained that Roy would be taking over as he shared in a video, “I try to read all the comments. And yes, it would take a miracle for me to get past this. I have only a couple of weeks left. Your kind words are greatly helpful. Thank you."

Once Roy took over, Paul started appearing less and less on his own channel. Again, rumors spread and people started to believe that Paul had actually died. He commented on the video in February 2024, “Hey everyone, Once again, I'm not dead. That was a hoax. I'm not dead until you get an official announcement FROM THIS CHANNEL.”

And while he took a noticeable break from appearing regularly in videos, by late June 2024, he was once again making consistent videos. On July 4, 2024, he posted a video to celebrate America by shooting a gun and perfectly hitting the targets. The only difference is that now, he’s on a crutch.

One person commented on a recent video, “Paul ‘I'm not dead until I tell you I'm Dead’ Harrell. Look at him go.” Another added, “‘Hold my crutch while I shoot better than you.’” Many fans agreed that Paul is looking healthier as one stated, “I think the fact that Paul has stepped back, taking time to rest and be with family has restored some of his health.”

While many believed Paul was improving, news of his death came just weeks after his July 4 video. "I just learned and was given permission to share that Paul has passed. A true lion of men, a paragon of integrity, the gun dad of the internet, and a role model for us all. May he continue inspire and call us to be better and do more. Rest in peace," Tom Grieve wrote on X. Referring to him as the "internet gun dad," Tom added, "We all knew it was coming. Paul has passed, and his pain is quickly behind him."

In what is now Paul’s final YouTube video, he shared a few requests, including a plea not to support those who pirate his content. He acknowledged that some people might use his death to tarnish his character, urging fans, “Don’t just believe what other people tell you.”

Paul apologized, expressing regret that he thought he had more time and led others to believe the same.

“I’m really glad to have had this opportunity to do all of the stuff that we’ve done. I really hope that it’s been helpful. I really appreciate you watching, commenting, and participating, and I have probably very few regrets in what we’ve done here,” he concluded.