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
New York:  Gov. Kathy Hochul and Democrat Majorities Use The Budget to Adopt Gun Ban

Saturday, May 23, 2026

New York: Gov. Kathy Hochul and Democrat Majorities Use The Budget to Adopt Gun Ban

On Thursday, May 21, the New York Senate and Assembly used the State Budget as a vehicle to not only finance state government but also to pass a handful of their other policy priorities. 

Virginia: Spanberger Signs Unconstitutional Gun Bills into Law

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Virginia: Spanberger Signs Unconstitutional Gun Bills into Law

Today, April 23rd, Governor Spanberger Signed HB1525 and SB727/HB1524 into law. 

Illinois: Semi-Auto Glock Ban Eligible for Floor Vote

Friday, May 22, 2026

Illinois: Semi-Auto Glock Ban Eligible for Floor Vote

Yesterday, the House Gun Violence Prevention Committee passed HB 4471. The bill is now eligible for a floor vote.

Talking Turkey: Spanberger Admits Legislation Bans Firearms “Frequently Used” for Lawful Purpose

News  

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

Talking Turkey: Spanberger Admits Legislation Bans Firearms “Frequently Used” for Lawful Purpose

Anti-gun arrogance, or incompetence, is reaching new heights.

Massachusetts Officials Embrace Gun Control, Avoid Crime Control, and Force Citizen Action

News  

Monday, May 18, 2026

Massachusetts Officials Embrace Gun Control, Avoid Crime Control, and Force Citizen Action

Massachusetts has among the most restrictive gun control laws in the country. The Bay State is one of an exceedingly small group of states, along with Illinois, to require a license to merely own any ...

Virginia: Spanberger Doubles Down on Semi-Auto Ban, NRA Doubles Down on Lawsuits

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Virginia: Spanberger Doubles Down on Semi-Auto Ban, NRA Doubles Down on Lawsuits

On the night of May 14th, Governor Spanberger once again proved she has no concern for the 2nd Amendment by signing SB749/HB217 - legislation that bans certain semi-automatic firearms, including many semi-automatic rifles, pistols and ...

New York Times Acknowledges Semi-Auto Rifles Aren’t Just Common, But “Ubiquitous”

News  

Monday, May 18, 2026

New York Times Acknowledges Semi-Auto Rifles Aren’t Just Common, But “Ubiquitous”

In the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case District of Columbia v. Heller (2008), that acknowledged the Second Amendment protects the individual right to keep and bear arms, Justice Antonin Scalia noted some of the arms ...

Reading, Writing and Overreacting: Tiny Toy Leads to School “Weapon” Suspension

News  

Monday, May 18, 2026

Reading, Writing and Overreacting: Tiny Toy Leads to School “Weapon” Suspension

Parents and others have expressed concerns over a continuing decline in student literacy rates and math skills. At the same time, there’s a worrying erosion of common sense and critical thinking on the part of ...

New ATF Director Tells Congress Agency Committed to Rebuilding Trust with the Industry, Federal Firearms Licensees, Lawful Gun Owners

News  

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

New ATF Director Tells Congress Agency Committed to Rebuilding Trust with the Industry, Federal Firearms Licensees, Lawful Gun Owners

America’s Second Amendment community had some insights into the outlook of the newly confirmed ATF Director Robert Cekada, when he recently testified before the House Oversight Committee’s Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement. 

NRA-ILA Applauds House Passage of Veterans Protection Bill

News  

Thursday, May 21, 2026

NRA-ILA Applauds House Passage of Veterans Protection Bill

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1041, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act. This bill, sponsored by Chairman Mike Bost (R-IL-12) would reverse a controversial and deeply troubling policy that stripped veterans of ...

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.