OGCA News

News and Information of The Ohio Gun Collectors Association

--OGCA Meetings are strictly LIMITED to members and their guests--

Visit the "Home" page for any urgent announcements regarding upcoming meetings. Thank you!

Upcoming Meeting Dates
Jan. 9-10, 2021 * March 13-14, 2021

FOR A COMPLETE SCHEDULE, DIRECTIONS AND HOTELS, CLICK ON SHOWS.

Winter 2020 Member's Newsletter (click to read)

Election Results of the November 2020 Annual Meeting

The election of Officers was held at the November 2020 meeting. The following officers were unanimously elected by the Board of Directors: Sherman Kirkland III, President; Terrie Hill, First Vice President; Sean A. McCarter, Second Vice President; and Anita Rieger, Treasurer. Our most recent past president, Fred Kolb, assumed the role of Secretary. As previously announced no Director election was necessary as there were four open positions and four candidates. Chuck Benton and Thomas Bowersox will remain on the Board and serve for the term 2021-2023. Director, Sean McCarter was elect Second Vice President for the 2021-2022 term. Please give a warm welcome to our newest Director, Brad Raum, who will serve for the 2021-2023 Director term. Look for more information in the next newsletter.

We are always looking for hard working, dedicated members who are willing to roll up their sleeves and take on a leadership role on behalf of OGCA. Our new First Vice President, Terrie Hill, serves as Chairman of the Nominating Committee. Stop and see him at his tables at T 7-10 (look for the orange flag). You must be an Ohio resident and a member for at least five years.

Results of the 2020 Annual Raffle

The Trump Hat Raffle was held Sunday of the November meeting. Congratulations to Stephen Ewry winner of the USA hat signed by President Donald Trump. The winners of the 2020 Annual PAC Raffle are as follows: First Prize: M1 Garand went to David Rachwal; Second Prize: Walther P-38 was won by Larry Jessup; Third Prize: Winchester 70 went to Richard Pavlov; Fourth Prize: Colt Mustang was won by Bernie Naegale; Fifth Prize: Double Tapp 9mm pistol went to Thomas Beiting and lastly the Sixth Prize: Colt Knife was won by Chuck Richter. OGCA PAC thanks all of you who contributed. All donations support pro-gun candidates, and youth shooting programs. Everyone’s a winner!

Membership Dues
Members: Your Dues Statement was mailed in the Interim mailing in mid-October.

The year through which your dues are paid can be found on your current membership badge and wallet card, as well as on your dues statement mailing in October. Please read it carefully to see if your membership expires December 31, 2020. If your Statement indicates that your dues are paid through 2021 or beyond, you need not take any action at this time. If you have any questions, call anytime at (330) 467-5733. Members may pay directly on our secure Online Dues Payment Program by Clicking Here; via credit card over the phone at (330) 467-5733 or mail check or money order to the business office. You do not need your dues statement in order to mail your dues, but whenever possible include your member number on the memo of your check. For more information click on "Dues".

1-year dues: $45*
1-year Active Duty Military: Free (Enclose rank, branch, duty station)
3-year dues: $110 (saves $25)
5-year dues: $165 (saves $60)
Life Membership: $700
Sr. Life (65 yrs.+): $400 (Enclose proof of age)

*Members whose membership expires as of 12/31/20, shall have the option as Covid-19 Relief to pay one year of dues for the year 2021 only, in the amount of $35 instead of $45.

Mail check or money order to: OGCA, P.O. Box 670406, Sagamore Hills, OH 44067.

Please anticipate 3-6 weeks for processing. If payment is not received by March 31, 2021, the name of the non-paying member will be removed from our files and can be reinstated only by paying a minimum of 3 years dues by December 31, 2021. We need and appreciate your support. Thank you! Also, all members are encouraged to update their confidential phone and email address. Simply email us at ogca@ogca.com, write it on your dues statement when mailing it in, or call the Business Office at (330) 467-5733. Thank you!

If you are a member and need copy of a Table Application of Guest Pass Registration form do not hesitate to contact us anytime at ogca@ogca.com or (330) 467-5733.

Guest Passes: Guests are welcome both Saturday and Sunday! Guest Passes for the January meeting will be on page 11 of the Winter 2020 newsletter that will arrive in mid-December. For security reasons the form is not online. If you are a member and would like a form before your newsletter arrives, call (330) 467-5733 or email ogca@ogca.com. Guest Passes are $15. Members may bring up to 4 guests per meeting. Guests are limited to 2 visits per life.

Great spots remain open for January 9-10: Jan. 9-10, 2021 tables went on sale at the Sept. meeting and there are many tables in great locations still available. (330) 467-5733 ogca@ogca.com. (Forms are not posted on the web for security reasons.) Members may reserve tables for up to two shows at a time ($80 per table). Tables may be rented via mail, phone, or in person during a meeting.

Constitution Changes Approved at the November Meeting

On Sat., Nov. 21st, 2020 members voted to approve changes to Article III of the OGCA Constitution as proposed in the Fall 2020 interim newsletter. Article III, Membership, subsection 1 is now:

Membership in the Ohio Gun Collectors Association shall be open to all persons who have attained the age of 18 years, having no criminal record or legal disability from owning a gun, and having an interest in the collection, possession, preservation, use and study of arms, accessories, and related history. Each prospective member must be sponsored by:
1. two members who have been in good standing for not less than one year; or,
2. one member in good standing for not less than one year and provide proof of possessing a current concealed carry permit issued by any state or Federal Firearms License (including a Curios and Relics License).
A former member who at the time their membership expired was a member in good standing may re-apply for membership, without sponsorship, but shall comply with all other requirements of applying for membership.
The prospective or former member must be accepted by affirmative vote of a majority of the members present and voting at a regular meeting. New and former members will be on probation for one year following approval and during probation are not eligible to sponsor others for membership.

The amendment establishes that a prospective member with a current CCW or FFL is eligible to own a firearm and reduces the number of sponsors needed from two to one.

In addition, it gives former members who left in good standing an option to reapply without sponsorship. This addresses a recurring issue in which a former member’s original sponsors and OGCA friends are unable to be physically present to sponsor. Under this option the former member must apply for a guest pass, pay the $10 Application Fee and a minimum of 3 years dues. (Former members may also reapply through the usual process of coming as a guest of a current member and applying in person with two sponsors.)

Further, the Constitution change clarifies that a member may not be under a disability from gun ownership such as a court issued restraining order or because they have become incompetent.

Meeting Hours Now Start at 8:30 AM / Save on Lodging Cost with Increased Sat. Set up Time

Sat. and Sun. Meeting Hours now start at 8:30 AM, and tableholder set up hours Sat. and Sun. morning have been extended to better accommodate members who rent tables and potentially avoid the time and cost of a Fri. hotel stay. Based on the recent Membership Questionnaire it is clear that these minor time changes will make a big impact. There are no changes to the Friday set up time. Note the Holiday Inn at Roberts Centre still has a strict 2-night minimum (which is beyond OGCA's control) and a list of other hotels can be found on the SHOWS page.

Meeting Hours Now in Effect
Saturday 8:30 am - 5 pm
Sunday 8:30 am - 2 pm

Set up/Exhibitor Hours (Refer to special final instructions in the mailing with the Table confirmation as we may need Tableholders to arrive by 8 am.)
Fri. 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm exhibitor Set-up
Sat. 7:00 am - 8:30 am exhibitor Set-up
Sun. 7:30 am - 8:30 am exhibitor Set-up

Support Youth Shooting

The Dues statement to Life and Paid members includes an optional spot for donations for youth firearms safety training and target shooting. So far we’ve collected $3,515 from about 70 generous members. Thank you! You do not need a certain level of membership to participate in our youth shooting initiative. Mark the memo of your check or call with a credit card. Although your donation is not tax deductible this is a vitally important cause for the long-term. Any amount is appreciated and 100% will go to grants in support of youth shooting.

Join Brochure

We have a brand new brochure on joining OGCA. Click here (pdf) Members: Do you know someone who would be interested in becoming a member of OGCA? A brother, sister, uncle, or cousin? How about a friend or neighbor? Would you like some Brochures so you can give friends and family for more information on who we are and how to join? No problem! Send a request to the business office and we will be happy to mail them to you, or pick up copies at the meeting.

Gun Collector Etiquette - A Partial List

Every firearm should be treated as if it were loaded. Keep all firearms pointed in a safe direction. Keep your finger out of the trigger guard.
Never touch a firearm or remove the safety tie without permission from the owner.
Don’t ask to handle a firearm unless you have serious intent to buy.
Look for signs that indicate what is appropriate. Collections marked “Display Only” are never to be touched.
Do not dry fire, work bolts or cycle actions without permission. If you want to manipulate anything, get permission. Make sure whatever you’re manipulating is not a safety issue.
Avoid unnecessary wear. Never spin the cylinder of a revolver like you are playing Russian roulette or slam it closed by “flipping” it sideways.
When necessary to inspect a gun you have intent to buy, the tableholder should be the one that cuts the safety tie. The tableholder should also be the one that opens the bolt and clears a weapon in a safe manner before he hands it over and re-ties the weapon regardless of whether it will be sold or not.
Remember how a gun was laying and put it back down the way you found it. Never hit the gun against another gun or lay it down on top of another gun.
Hold a gun by the wood and not the metal if possible. If you get fingerprints on the metal, alert the tableholder so he/she can clean it.
Don’t allow children to run amuck. Keep your kids with you and instruct them on all safety rules and general etiquette.
Never set food or drink on someone’s table.
Never interrupt a “sale in progress” or try to purchase an item someone else is holding or negotiating a price on.
Do not block a table or aisle chatting with your buddy. Keep traffic moving past the table so people can see his/her display.

“May I...” and “Thank You” go a long way and are just plain common courtesy.

Automatic Penalties For a Loaded Gun or Magazine: On March 11, 2016, the OGCA Board of Directors adopted automatic penalties for those in violation of bringing in a loaded gun or magazine. Members will be removed from the building and placed on an automatic one-year suspension. If a guest brings a loaded firearm/magazine, he/she will be immediately banned for life, and the sponsor of that guest will automatically be suspended for one year. If each and every member makes safety their number one focus and informs their guest of the Safety Rules, enforcement of this new automatic penalty will never be necessary...and that is our hope.

Important: Bump Fire Stocks or any devices that simulates full automatic fire are NOT Permitted.

Firearms Safety REQUIRED

Current Member's Newsletter: Winter 2020 Member's Newsletter (click to read)

Some Prior Newsletters:

There has never been a more important time for supporters of the Second Amendment to band together and ensure that those who share our love of collecting, shooting and hunting are registered to vote.

Trigger the Vote is a nonpartisan
voter registration program through the NRA. Click here for more info or here to go direct to the site. Then click on "Get Started" to register to vote in any state. (It's easy!)