Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News

Beretta Group Pledges $1 million to Benefit the NRA Institute for Legislative Action and Civil Rights Defense Fund

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

New Pledge Brings Beretta’s Support to over $2 million 

FAIRFAX, VA – The National Rifle Association (NRA) announced today that the Beretta Group of companies, led by Beretta U.S.A., Benelli U.S.A., and Burris in the United States have pledged to give the NRA $1 million over the next five years. This gift will benefit the NRA Institute for Legislative Action and the NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund’s litigation activities to further expand the scope of Second Amendment protections in the wake of the recent United States Supreme Court ruling in District of Columbia v. Heller. 

The announcement was made by Cav. Ugo Gussalli Beretta at an event at his home in Clinton, Maryland, on August 20.   At this event, Cav. Beretta was inducted into the NRA’s Golden Ring of Freedom, the highest level of the Association’s comprehensive donor recognition society.  This new pledge brings the Beretta Group’s gift commitments to the NRA to over $2 million.  Previous gifts have benefited the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, NRA Youth Programs, Hunting and Wildlife Conservation, and the National Firearms Museum. 

Wayne LaPierre, NRA Executive Vice President remarked, “The Beretta Group is legendary in the industry and an important member of the NRA family.  We are truly grateful for Cav. Beretta’s vision and leadership.  The Beretta Group and the NRA are natural partners when it comes to protecting our Second Amendment freedoms and this gift will have great impact in the months and years ahead.” 

The NRA Institute for Legislative Action mobilizes millions of volunteers nationwide on behalf of candidates who support our Second Amendment freedom, and has the most effective “ground game” in the country during an election year.   The Civil Rights Defense Fund, the NRA’s sister 501(c)3 organization, supports litigation involving significant legal issues relating to the right to keep and bear arms. 

“The Beretta Group’s support could not come at a more critical time,” said Chris Cox, Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action.  “Cav. Beretta understands the immediate challenges to our shared values and has literally reached around the globe to strengthen our position in this fight.” 

Beretta U.S.A. is part of the Beretta Holding Group. Controlled by the Beretta family, the group encompasses key manufacturers of field and competition firearms and optics, as well as trading and distribution companies in Italy and abroad including Benelli, Franchi and Uberti in Italy, and Sako and Tikka in Finland. The oldest among them, Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta S.p.A. (Pietro Beretta arms manufacturing company), which has been handed down over fifteen generations, was active in the village of Gardone Val Trompia in the fifteenth century.  Documentary evidence for the family business dates back to 1526.  Cav. Ugo Gussalli Beretta and his sons, Pietro and Franco, run the company today. 

To learn more about opportunities to make a gift to the NRA, contact Nicole Capossela, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, NRA Office of Advancement, (703) 267-1122 or visit www.nragive.com.  To learn more about the Beretta Group, visit www.beretta.com.

- 30 -

TRENDING NOW
Massachusetts: Sunday Hunting Stripped from Budget

Thursday, June 11, 2026

Massachusetts: Sunday Hunting Stripped from Budget

House democrats have stripped provisions from the budget bill, H.D. 6042, that would have ended the Commonwealth’s ban on Sunday hunting, in addition to expanding land access and increasing opportunities for crossbow hunting. 

Report Provides Context on “Machinegun-Convertible Pistol” Panic

News  

Monday, June 8, 2026

Report Provides Context on “Machinegun-Convertible Pistol” Panic

Anti-gun lawmakers and their gun control allies exploit menacing language to bolster their arguments against lawful arms: ordinary semi-automatic rifles and pistols become “weapons of war” and “assault weapons;” “large capacity magazines” actually refers to ...

Virginia: Court Reiterates Injunction on Private Sale Ban, as Anti-Gun Lawmakers Mislead Public

News  

Monday, June 8, 2026

Virginia: Court Reiterates Injunction on Private Sale Ban, as Anti-Gun Lawmakers Mislead Public

Last October, a judge in the Circuit Court for the City of Richmond ruled in the case Raul Wilson, Wyatt Lowman, Virginia Citizens Defense League, Gun Owners of America, Inc, and Gun Owners Foundation v. ...

Rhode Island: Legislature Ends 2026 Session

Friday, June 12, 2026

Rhode Island: Legislature Ends 2026 Session

Lawmakers dropped the final gavel on this year’s legislative session late Thursday night.  It is always good news for Rhode Islanders when anti-gun politicians go home for the year, but this year was a double ...

New York:  Gov. Kathy Hochul Signs Gun Ban in State Budget Process

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

New York: Gov. Kathy Hochul Signs Gun Ban in State Budget Process

On Wednesday, May 27, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed S.9005C, which “enacts into law major components” of the state’s public protection and general government budget.

Florida Attorney General, Law Enforcement Commissioner, and State Attorneys Agree Florida’s Waiting Period Law Violates the Second Amendment in NRA Challenge

Friday, June 5, 2026

Florida Attorney General, Law Enforcement Commissioner, and State Attorneys Agree Florida’s Waiting Period Law Violates the Second Amendment in NRA Challenge

Today, the parties in the National Rifle Association’s challenge to Florida’s firearm waiting period law jointly filed an Offer of Judgment asking the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida to declare the ...

California: Multiple Anti-Gun Bills Scheduled in Committee

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

California: Multiple Anti-Gun Bills Scheduled in Committee

On Tuesday, June 16th,the Senate Public Safety Committee will hear several anti-Second Amendment bills, including AB1743, AB1753, and AB1810. Additionally, on June 23rd, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear AB 2047, a proposal that effectively ...

NRA Files Lawsuit Challenging Maryland’s Glock Ban

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

NRA Files Lawsuit Challenging Maryland’s Glock Ban

The National Rifle Association, Firearms Policy Coalition, and Second Amendment Foundation filed a lawsuit yesterday challenging Maryland’s ban on Glock and Glock-style handguns.

UN Officials Declare “We Have Lawyers” After Forcing Through Another Controversial Small Arms Outcome Document

News  

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

UN Officials Declare “We Have Lawyers” After Forcing Through Another Controversial Small Arms Outcome Document

The United Nations’ Ninth Biennial Meeting of States to Consider the Implementation of the Program of Action to Prevent, Combat, and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects ...

Arizona: Legislature Adjourns, Pro-Gun Bills Head to Governor's Desk

Friday, June 12, 2026

Arizona: Legislature Adjourns, Pro-Gun Bills Head to Governor's Desk

Today, Friday, June 12, the Arizona Legislature adjourned sine die from its 2026 regular session. As expected, all anti-gun bills met a swift end thanks to the tireless effort and steadfast defense of your Second ...

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.