Part of recent changes at the National Rifle Association include increased funding to the NRA Institute for Legislative Action. The Association has brought grassroots activist Joe LoPorto into their fold.
Previously reported, the NRA is undergoing a metamorphosis. In discussing the big changes to the Association, NRA President Bill Bachenberg emphasized that they’re focusing more on their programming as well as state-level and local battles. Increased funding to the NRA-ILA is one of those priorities. Executive Vice President Doug Hamlin described the changes as necessary to “ensure the long-term strength of the Second Amendment and health of our critical organization.” November 17, 2025 marks Joe LoPorto’s first day on the job as a state director.
LoPorto is a graduate of St. Peter’s University and Seton Hall University School of Law. His educational background in law has served him well as a grassroots activist and legal scholar. LoPorto is also a former small business owner and prior to that, he spent 14 years working on Wall Street as an advisor.
In 2024, LoPorto founded the Civil Liberties Policy Research Center of New Jersey, a state-level 501(c)(4) think tank. He was also instrumental in the official formulation of New Jersey Firearms Owners Syndicate into a 501(c)(4) advocacy group, of which he serves as the vice president and director of legal operations.
In 2025, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms named him as a “Grassroots Activist of the Year” during the annual Gun Rights Policy Conference. LoPorto also gave a presentation on his work in New Jersey at GRPC.
Through the 2025 gubernatorial election in New Jersey, LoPorto spent countless hours volunteering with Early Vote Action. EVA works to get voters registered and encourages them to vote as early as possible. He also was responsible for running several phone banks aimed at getting voters to support pro-Second Amendment candidates in the election.
Mid-2025, LoPorto got involved in an initiative that has morphed into a strong movement in New Jersey. The permit to carry fee nullification project is a grassroots endeavor aimed at encouraging local municipalities to refund permit to carry fees back to applicants. LoPorto has served as a much-needed boots on the ground force. He’s also worked tirelessly in the background to see as many of these measures possible gain passage.
After the first fee rebate resolution, LoPorto brought together the New Jersey Firearms Owners Syndicate, Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, and National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action as a coalition. The three groups together continued to advance the passage of more rebate resolutions in the Garden State. Through LoPorto’s efforts and other activists, there are over 10 municipalities that have adopted nullification resolutions and there are several others gearing up to pass the measure.
Anthony Colandro is an NRA board member, founder and co-owner of Gun for Hire at the Woodland Park Range, author of “Crime Proof,” and host of Gun For Hire Radio podcast. Colandro also serves on the board of New Jersey’s NRA state association, the Association of New Jersey Rifle and Pistol Clubs. Colandro enthusiastically said he was delighted when he heard that LoPorto was taking a position with NRA-ILA.
“Joe LoPorto will be an invaluable asset to the National Rifle Association,” said Colandro in a statement. “He has taken the New Jersey Second Amendment community and unified them into a forceful front fighting the evil gun grabbers. Joe is not only knowledgeable but approachable and one of the hardest working men I ever met.”
John Commerford spoke on behalf of the NRA-ILA about LoPorto. Commerford is NRA-ILA’s executive director and he lauded LoPorto’s experience and zeal.
“By adding Joe LoPorto, a seasoned Second Amendment advocate, to our team, we are further enhancing our abilities to deliver results for our members in state houses throughout the country,” Commerford told Bearing Arms. “From legislative battles to overseeing litigation efforts, Joe brings a wealth of experience to our already star-studded state and local team.”
While LoPorto is a lifelong resident of New Jersey and has been incredibly active in the advancement of the Second Amendment in the Garden State, he’s going to be taking a post slightly north of his stomping grounds. The NRA said in a statement that “as a State Director with NRA-ILA, he will be tasked with overseeing our efforts in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Vermont.”
LoPorto is not one who likes being covered by the news, but rather be the guy who helps make the news happen. He’s also a brilliant legal scholar that reports on the Second Amendment for News2A on the regular. In either event, he’s not used to being at the “center” of attention in all of this and admitted with humility that he hated being put in the spotlight.
“It’s a great honor and the privilege of a lifetime to join the oldest and strongest gun rights organization in America,” LoPorto said in a statement. “I am humbled by the talent and dedication of the men and women at NRA-ILA and proud to be joining the team. And to all my friends in New England, in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts, I am looking forward to fighting alongside you all each and every day.”
Congratulations to Joe LoPorto and the National Rifle Association! This new relationship with bringing LoPorto to the Association will undoubtedly lead to more coalition building as well as getting an energized base in a region of the country in much need of help.
Author’s Note: I’ve sat in cigar smoke filled meetings with LoPorto myself and have traipsed around the country with him in the name of advocacy. I can attest to his vigor, determination, brilliance, and dedication to the Second Amendment. I am — as well as Bearing Arms — proud to call you a friend and colleague, Joe. Now get to work!
Editor’s Note: Second Amendment advocates like Joe and others across the country are doing everything they can to protect our Second Amendment rights and right to self-defense.
Help us continue to report on their efforts and aid their grassroots activism.. Join Bearing Arms VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your VIP membership.
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