One of liberty’s champions, past NRA President Allan D. Cors died on August 9, 2026. For more than a half-century he worked tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to protect the rights and freedoms of American gun owners. A competitive shooter, collector and historian, Cors was instrumental in founding the Institute for Legislative Action—and changing the course of the NRA.
There is virtually no aspect of the NRA’s mission Cors did not significantly contribute to during his lifetime of service to the cause of preserving and enhancing the Second Amendment. He was an esteemed collector, historian, distinguished shooter, avid hunter, and effective speaker and leader.
But above all, he was unique as a political pathfinder—without whose efforts American liberty as we know it today might have been erased long ago. And throughout it all, Cors was a gentleman.
“A giant in the modern movement to restore our constitutional rights to Keep and Bear Arms to protect our families, our community and our country, Allan played a major role in stopping the disarming of Americans of all firearms--which was the main legislative agenda of President Johnson in the 1968 Congress. Allan served as minority counsel to the House Judiciary Committee and worked closely with Congressman John Dingell and NRA giants Judge Bartlett Rummel, Hal Glassen, Frank Orth, Irvine Porter and Harlon Carter to defeat total disarmament,” recalled longtime friend and 62nd NRA President James W. “Jim” Porter, II. “In 1975, Allan seconded the resolution offered by John Dingell that established the NRA Institute for Legislative Action. Allan brought a steady hand in guiding NRA Legislative Policy and Legal affairs.”
Cors was among a core of NRA directors who created the instrument that is today lauded as the finest, most effective grassroots lobby in the nation—the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, but he also exercised the Second Amendment rights like few others.
“Allan was a decorated competitive shooter, a Distinguished Expert rifleman, and a highly regarded collector of militaria and firearms. A trip to the ‘tank farm’ provided lifelong memories to thousands of people,” said Porter. “Allan gave generously of his time and his treasure to NRA, serving as an NRA Director starting in 1972, chaired numerous committees, including the NRA Gun Collectors Committee, served the NRA Foundation as a Trustee and as Chairman, and as President of NRA from 2015 to 2017. Beloved by all, highly respected by his peers, cherished by his friends and family. Allan’s passing leaves a void that cannot be filled, but his legacy of service and wise leadership will guide our beloved NRA for generations to come.”
“I had the pleasure of getting to know and working with past NRA President Allan Cors during his term of office early in my career at the National Rifle Association of America,” said NRA Executive Vice President and CEO Doug Hamlin. “Allan was a dashing figure who was articulate and well-spoken, a good listener, and highly informed and educated on Second Amendment issues. He was an enthusiast, collector, shooter, and hunter—but mostly, he was a patriot. He loved this country, he loved his family, and he loved the National Rifle Association of America. My thoughts and prayers go out to Allan’s family and friends. This is a huge loss for the extended NRA family.”
