If you’ve watched firearms videos on YouTube, you’ve probably seen one by Paul Harrell. A Marine and Army National Guard veteran, Paul trained as a firearms instructor and shared his knowledge on his YouTube channel that bears his name. Doing without the cinematic post-production editing of other popular content creators, Harrell instead focused on educational content that promoted practical information and safety. He often noted in his videos, “As always, don’t try this at home.” In this way, he can be likened to the Bob Ross of “GunTube.” Harrell’s channel grew immensely since he started posting videos in 2012. In July 2023, he announced his diagnosis of stage 2 pancreatic cancer and began transitioning control of the channel to his brother, Roy. On September 3, 2024, Roy posted Paul’s final video announcing his own death.
Harrell’s initial enlistment in the active duty Marine Corps was as an 0311 infantry rifleman. However, he also spent a couple of years as a combat marksmanship instructor at the Marine Corps Security Forces School. As such, Harrell was sent to civilian shooting schools including the Chapman Academy of Practical Shooting and Gunsite Academy. Harrell’s military firearms education included the Navy SWAT school and the Marine Corps’ Formal School Instructor Course. The latter taught Harrell how to create class outlines and develop a curriculum, skills which applied to his YouTube channel. After leaving the active duty Corps, Harrell entered the Oregon Army National Guard as an infantryman and attended additional schools including Air Assault School, Advanced NCO School, and another course at Gunsite Academy.
Harrell’s time in the Guard also allowed him to compete in military shooting competitions. He won six state championships, a western regional championship, a national championship, and an international championship. “Suffice it to say, I’ve been in a few shooting competitions,” Harrell said in a 2017 FAQ video as he dumped a small selection of his medals on the table in front of him. Though he didn’t like to talk about it, Harrell was also a combat veteran and earned a Combat Infantryman Badge during a year-long tour in the Middle East before he retired after 20 years of service. Similarly, Harrell was involved in two citizen-involved shootings which he did not bring up much. “I only mention them when they’re pertinent to illustrate points I’m trying to make…,” Harrell noted in the same FAQ video. “However…I am among the extreme few [firearms trainers] who’s actually been in a citizen-involved shooting and it does give men a unique perspective on that.”
Over his decade-plus on YouTube, the Paul Harrell channel posted over 400 videos, including 30 that garnered over 1M views (not including Harrell’s death announcement). Some of Harrell’s most popular videos cover topics like shooting while in bed during a home defense situation, how to safely handle firearms to avoid a negligent discharge, and ammunition tests using meat targets and clothing. However, Harrell became best known for his iconic canvas jacket. In a 2018 video, he revealed that the jacket is an old Sears product that he purchased from eBay; he purchased multiple jackets with different trims and features. Harrell also hung his hearing protection case from the jacket’s collar. The jacket and ear pro combo is so iconic that it is depicted on the t-shirt commemorating his legacy.
The announcement of Harrell’s diagnosis was met with an outpouring of support from the GunTube community. Air Force Special Warfare veteran and YouTube giant Mike Jones interviewed Harrell on his channel of over 4M subscribers, Garand Thumb, in March 2024; the video received over 1M views. Before he passed, Harrell’s channel broke the 1M subscriber mark and reached 1.24M at the time of his death. In his death announcement video, Harrell apologized for his passing and not being able to create more content. “My goal in doing all this was just to have fun, do some things that were fun, but primarily put out useful information,” Harrell said in his final video. Tens of thousands of comments were added to the video thanking Harrell for his videos and paying tribute to him, including by Jones and U.S. Congressional candidate Brandon Herrera. Following his brother’s passing, Roy will continue to produce and post videos per Paul’s wishes.