John Hosford, Former CCRKBA Executive Director, Passes

John Hosford, former executive director of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, and the longtime Resolutions Committee chairman at the annual Gun Rights Policy Conference, passed away in his sleep Dec. 24 while visiting at his son’s home in Washington state. He was 62.

A retired peace officer who served with the King County Sheriff’s Department, Hosford was active in the gun rights movement for many years. He served on the board of directors of the Washington Arms Collectors (WAC) and chaired that organization’s legislative committee. After leaving the CCRKBA, he worked for a time for the National Rifle Association in Washington, D.C. and then for the Law Enforcement Alliance of America.

Hosford attended every one of the Gun Rights Policy Conferences, even after he retired to Wyoming.

Former NRA and WAC Director Irv Benzion recalled Hosford with fondness as “one of the finest men I ever knew.”

“He was a true friend,” Benzion said, “and a true friend to the gun owners. He worked hard for our rights…for many years.”

CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb called Hosford “one of the most devoted run rights activists I ever knew.”

“His years working here at the Citizens Committee, and then for NRA and LEAA, proved beyond any doubt that John was committed to the cause, a true soldier,” Gottlieb said. “The Gun Rights Policy Conference simply won’t be the same without John heading the Resolutions committee.”

A memorial service is scheduled Jan. 4 at 10 a.m. at the VFW Hall in Enumclaw, WA.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory should be made to either CCRKBA or the NRA.