CEDAR GROVE, N.J. — On Wednesday, October 7, NRA President Bill Bachenberg will give the keynote address at the nation’s second-largest Friends of the NRA banquet, which will take place (perhaps to the surprise of many) in Cedar Grove, New Jersey. The exclusively grassroots-driven fundraising event illustrates that activism at the individual level is still one of the most effective ways to bring meaningful cultural change to states that are under oppression from gun control tyrants.
The most-listened to Second Amendment broadcast in the nation – Gun For Hire Radio – adeptly coined the term, “the land that freedom forgot,” perfectly describing New Jersey and its decades of oppression under gun control laws that make it feel more like communist Cuba than one of the 50 United States. But in the last decade, there’s been a sea change in law, policy, and court decisions that have shifted the tide in favor of gun owners, including:
- The Garden State has concealed carry for the masses since Bruen
- Gun rights groups have launched lawsuits challenging nearly every prohibition, from AWBs to suppressors
- Even the DOJ has weighed in with briefs in favor of gun owners
Those positive changes have brought the most vocal, animated, and driven individuals amongst the state’s nearly 1.5 million gun owners out of the woodwork and they’ve gotten involved in ways that are having a meaningful impact. One of those is the annual “Friends of the NRA” fundraiser, which has grown to be the second-largest such event in the nation.
Friends of the NRA is a 100% grassroots-driven fundraising program of the National Rifle Association. Proceeds from 2026 events, including the North Jersey banquet, support the NRA Freedom Action Foundation (a separate non-political 501(c)(3) charity). Funds go toward voter registration and education programs such as “Trigger the Vote,” Second Amendment legal defense and education initiatives, and other firearms-related programs. Roughly half the net proceeds raised stay in the state for local grants.
How the New Jersey event came to be the second-largest in the nation is the story of hundreds of individuals working collectively. However, at least a few individuals deserve some special recognition.
John Occhipinti and his son, JJ, are two New Jersey residents who embody the spirit of “grassroots” efforts. Mr. Occhipinti began his support in 2023 as a table sponsor after hearing about the fundraising event on Anthony Colandro’s Gun For Hire Podcast. That quickly escalated to both of them joining the Committee (JJ as Treasurer, and John as Chairman).
“While trying to fund a high school grant to start a shooting education program, I realized how important these programs were to re-engage the youth of our community. Yet I was left speechless at the paltry amount of money raised by an entire state ($19,000) that was basically insufficient to fund even one. That’s when we embarked on the mission to raise significantly more funds,” said Occhipinti.
And while the Occhipinti family might have been the tip of the spear (even his wife and daughter got involved, preparing local tricky tray baskets), it was the community response at large that resulted in a 2024 dinner with 520 attendees, raising a gross $135,000, more than seven times the previous year. While far too many to name here, the funds raised were directly credited to generous support from local businesses like restaurants, nail salons, contractors, and of course, FFLs, ranges, and gun stores, like Gun For Hire (and dozens of volunteers).
Momentum continued in 2025 with the North Jersey Banquet securing NRA CEO Doug Hamlin as a keynote speaker, raising $180,000 gross, and distributing 17 grants in total.
In honor of the country’s 250th birthday anniversary, John and his son have a goal of raising $250,000.
“John and JJ exemplify servant leadership. Because of their hard work and energy, they have managed to build an army of 2A volunteers to host a phenomenal event and raise incredible amounts of money in the face of adversity in New Jersey. We can all learn a lot from them,” said Anthony Colandro, Master Firearms Instructor, NRA Board Member, and owner of one of New Jersey’s largest indoor ranges, Gun For Hire.
There are numerous ways to support and participate in this event, including activities coming up this summer, like the first-annual “Red, White and Boom” shooting event at the North Jersey Trap Club on Saturday, June 20.
The Banquet dinner itself takes place on Wednesday, October 7, in Cedar Grove. For details – including how to sponsor a table or buy tickets, visit the dedicated site: North Jersey Friends of the NRA dinner details.
Table sponsors even get a free firearm!
