Joe LoPorto, a long-time contributor and personal friend of the News2A team, as well as an influential Second Amendment activist serving various roles in New Jersey, has been appointed State Director for the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA).
The announcement of LoPorto’s new role broke earlier from another long-time News2A contributor and supporter, John Petrolino, in a article at Bearing Arms.
“From legislative battles to overseeing litigation efforts, Joe brings a wealth of experience to our already star-studded state and local team,” said John Commerford, NRA-ILA Executive Director, in a post on X.
In his new role, LoPorto will be responsible for NRA-ILA initiatives in the New England region, covering Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts. The NRA-ILA, according to their mission statement, is “…committed to preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.”
LoPorto has a significant background in grassroots activism and has led numerous high-profile initiatives in New Jersey, one of the key battleground states when it comes to gun rights issues. He was named “Grassroots Activist of the Year” by the Citizens Committee for the Rights to Keep and Bear Arms in 2025.
Additionally, LoPorto serves as a Director of Government Affairs of the Civil Liberties Policy Research Center of New Jersey, a state-level think tank. He is also the Director of Legal Operations of the New Jersey Firearm Owners Syndicate, a 501(c)(4) Second Amendment organization that funds impact litigation.
LoPorto’s work has materially impacted and improved the Second Amendment landscape in New Jersey. He, along with the Citizens Committee for the Rights to Keep and Bear Arms, launched an initiative to help citizens work with their municipalities to roll back expensive carry permit fees – the first of its kind initiative in the nation. To date, at least 10 New Jersey municipalities have passed some form of this legislation.
A prolific writer, LoPorto has penned numerous pieces dissecting the evolving legal landscape for gun owners, including providing insight and analysis on complicated rulings in cases like those addressing New Jersey’s sensitive places ban.
LoPorto has also worked vigorously with Scott Presler’s Early Vote Action, donating his time on weekends and evenings to help increase participation in the voting process within the Second Amendment community.
LoPorto is a life member of the Second Amendment Foundation and a member of the Federalist Society. He is a graduate of St. Peter’s University and Seton Hall University School of Law.
Congratulations to Joe in his new role, and to the NRA-ILA for bringing on a truly gifted and capable leader who is sure to further the civil rights movement in favor of gun owners.
