SITB  Società Italiana del Tiro al Bersaglio -  History of the oldest American Italian Gun Club

* 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.

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 second society. 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 1870 the members met at 18 Royal Street in the French Quarter.

For the 1890 Funeral of Jefferson Davis, the Tiro Al Bersaglio officered by Captain Patorno marched in the parade to honor the President of the Confederated States of America. There were 3 companies with over one hundred men, rank and file.  Their dark olive-green uniforms and broad -brimmed, low crowned black hats, freely garnished with black feathers, contrasted strikingly with the blue and gray uniforms of those who preceded them.

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 Society of which we were, at one time,  formerly recognized by the state government as a militia and military society. See: Act 15 1892 Sec. 1. Pg. 25 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes recognized the Society as a Militia that could be mustered into service by the Governor.   Further, we are one of the oldest Latin American organizations in the United States of America.

As a note, we are even older than the  Massachusetts Rifle Association , older than the Savannah's Forest City Gun Club ,  and older than the National Rifle Association.