OGCA News

News and Information of The Ohio Gun Collectors Association

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

Upcoming Meeting Dates

September 12-13, 2020 is a "go"! See Home Page for important changes and details. Please read all OGCA correspondence and check back for updates especially before you leave for the meeting.
Very Special Guest, The Winchester Arms Collectors Association (WACA).
Nov. 21-22, 2020 (Annual Meeting/Director Election) Note: Director Nomination forms are available and the deadline has been extended. See below.
FOR A COMPLETE SCHEDULE, DIRECTIONS AND HOTELS, CLICK ON SHOWS.

Fall 2020 Member's Newsletter (click to read)

A Word From Our President

I hope the Fall 2020 newsletter finds you and your family well. I think many of you may share my feelings of Gun Show withdrawal and look forward to being able to attend a show again.

I am excited to share that after a lot of planning and a meeting with the Roberts Centre staff and the Health Dept. that it appears that we will be able to have a September show.

Two words that will dictate our ability to have a safe and successful show are “change” and “compliance.”

"Change" in that just about everything you have come to expect and experience in prior shows will be different from the entrance to the exit to the interior traffic pattern within the facility. The location of services such as Gun-Tie Tables will be relocated as well. Plenty of signage will be posted to help you find your way.

You will also be required to wear appropriate masks and Social Distance. These changes are necessary to insure our ability to keep you and all the other members that choose to attend safe and to insure our ability to continue to have future shows throughout this Pandemic.

"Compliance" in that if we all tolerate and comply with these required changes, we will have a safe and successful show for you to attend.

Finally, I hope you enjoy the Fall 2020 newsletter . There are great articles and a new addition, member ads to help you add to your collection or sell something you want to move. I look forward to seeing you in Wilmington.

Stay strong,

Fred Kolb
President

Ernie Pyle and Sergeant Joseph Toth

Sergeant Joseph Toth of Mansfield, Ohio, was one of the many brave men and women interviewed by noted WWII journalist, Ernie Pyle. Toth was an OGCA member and “professional gun collector” at a time when membership was approximately 700 members in 21 countries. Thank you to Sergeant Toth and our many veterans.

After this article ran in our Summer Newsletter, we found out Sergeant Toth is a current member of OGCA. Read Chuck Benton's article on page 4 of the Fall 2020 newsletter

- Fred Kolb, President

In one small-arms repair section that I visited the only man who knew or cared anything about guns before the war was a professional gun collector. He was Sergeant Joseph Toth, of Mansfield, Ohio. He was stripped down to his undershirt as the day was warm for a change. He was washing the walnut stocks of damaged rifles in a tub of water with a sponge. Sergeant Toth used to work at the Westinghouse Electric plant in Mansfield and he spent all his extra money collecting guns. He belonged to The Ohio Gun Collectors Association. He said each one of the gun collectors back in Ohio had a different specialty. Some collected machine pistols. He had thirty-five in his collection, some of them very expensive ones. Ironically enough, he had not collected any guns at all in Normandy, even though he was in a world of machine pistols and many passed through his hands.

A stack of muddy, rusted rifles is a touching sight. As gun after gun came off the stack I looked to see what was the matter with it---rifle butt split by fragments; barrel dented by bullet; trigger knocked off; whole barrel splattered with shrapnel marks; guns gray from the slime of weeks in swamp mud; faint dark splotches of blood still showing. I wondered what had become of each owner. I pretty well knew.

Infantrymen, like soldiers everywhere, like to put names on their equipment. Just as a driver paints a name on his truck, so does a doughboy carve his name or initials on his rifle butt. I saw crude whittlings of initials in the hard-walnut stocks and unbelievably craftsman like carvings of soldiers’ names, and many names of girls. The boys said the most heartbreaking rifle they’d found was one belonging to a soldier who had carved a hole about silver-dollar size and put his wife or girl’s picture in it and sealed it over with a crystal of Plexiglass. They didn’t know who he was or what had happened to him. They only knew the rifle was repaired and somebody else was carrying it, picture and all.

- Ernie Pyle, Brave Men

This thought-provoking article is a classic example of Ernie Pyle’s writing style. He “told it like it is” primarily from the viewpoint of the average G.I. Ernie Pyle’s newspaper columns have been compiled into several books. Brave Men is a collection of his columns from 1943 and 1944 in Europe. The above can be found on page 422.

Director Nomination Form Deadline Extended to Sept.

Director nominations for the 2021-2023 term are available now by calling Sherman Kirkland, III, Nominating Committee Chairman/1st VP, at (440) 479-7839 or emailing smk3@sbcglobal.net. The deadline to return the form and documents is extended from the May meeting to the Sept. meeting by 4 pm Sat. Sept. 12th due to the coronavirus. Complete instructions will be provided. Our goal is to encourage you to put your “hat in the ring.” Interviews will be held Sun. Sept. 13th at the Roberts Centre complex and the election will be Sat. the 21st at the Nov. 2020 meeting.

Autographed USA Hat Raffle
OGCA PAC will run two raffles this year to raise much needed funds for pro-gun Political Candidates. One raffle is for a USA hat signed by the President of the United States. Ticket donation level is just $1/ticket or $5 for 6. Mail a self addressed stamped envelope (SASE) today with a check made out to “OGCA PAC.” We will return your numbered ticket stubs in your SASE. OGCA PAC, P.O. Box 670406, Sagamore Hills, OH 44067. The hat drawing will be held at the Sept. meeting after the big Annual 2020 PAC raffle drawing

Annual PAC Raffle
Look for Tickets in next Mailing, The Summer 2020 Newsletter

Six Great Prizes:
1st M-1 Garand CMP Korean
War Springfield Rifle
2nd Walther P-38 WWII Pistol
3rd Winchester Model 70, 7mm
4th Colt Mustang Plus II .380
5th Double Tap 9mm Pistol
6th Colt Knife

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: MEMBERS-ONLY ON SATURDAY SEPT. 12. Guests are permitted on Sunday-only. This is designed to provide maximum opportunity for our loyal members who have waited so long to attend. Your spouse, minor children, and minor grandchildren are included as members, but they must wear their family badge. Call the business office if you have a question regarding family badges (330) 467-5733. If you have a guest, please bring them on Sunday when we have much greater capacity. Guest Passes for September will be on page 13 of the Fall 2020 Member's newsletter that will arrive in August. For security reasons the form is not online. If you are a member and would like a form before your Fall 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.

Table Reminders: We are sold out of tables for the September meeting. Normally the Table Application for the next two meetings are included inside the newsletter. If you have tables for September but need to cancel please contact us asap at (330) 467-5733 or email ogca@ogca.com. If you would like a table application for the November meeting, or if you would like to be added to the wait list for the September meeting please contact us. (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. "Annual Tables" provides a discounted rate when renting for all 6 meetings January to November and must be purchased in December or earlier.

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
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

Membership Dues

Members: Your Dues Statement will be mailed in the Interim mailing to arrive 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)

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!

Support Youth Shooting

The Dues statement to Life members included a request for donations for youth firearms safety training and target shooting. So far we’ve collected $3,115 from 64 generous members. Thank you! You do not have to be a Life member 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? Enclosed with your Fall Interim 2019 mailing will be a Join Brochure you can give them for more information on who we are and how to join. Need a few more brochures? 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: Fall 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!)