Società Italiana del Tiro al Bersaglio - Founded 1868

Oldest Ethnic American Gun Club 

We Invite you to join the oldest Italian Club and Militia in the Americas. Founded in 1868 and Incorporated in 1869.  We are the oldest Latin American Militia and Shooting Society in the USA of which our Society was  formerly recognized by the government at one time as a militia in the revised statutes.

Our charter members included some of the most powerful post Civil War Italian Americans which included US Diplomats and businessman.......

The United States' First Latin American  Military Club and Sharp Shooters Society  - According to a book entitled "Louisiana History" with a chapter on Louisiana's Italian Immigrants (page 61):  "As the Italian population grew, there was a demand for a more societies . Called "Tiro-al-Bersaglio" ("Hit the Target"), it was known as the Italian society and it was chartered on March 10, 1869. It was a mutual beneficial society and a marksmen's club, divided into civil and military branches. In the early 1870's the members met at 18 Royal Street in the French Quarter.

The First Italian American sanctioned Militia - SINCE 1869 - As recognized in the revised laws of the State of Louisiana in 1870 - We are older than the  Massachusetts Rifle Association , older than the Savannah's Forest City Gun Club ,  and even older than the National Rifle Association.

* In the LA Government Arhives - Act 15 1892 Sec. 1. Pg. 25 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes recognized the Society as a Militia and it could be mustered into military law enforcement service by the Governor.

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