Ohio Gun Collectors Association Donates $5,000 to FASTER Saves Lives

The Ohio Gun Collectors Association (OGCA) once again purchased tables at the recent Buckeye Firearms Foundation (BFF) Bash. That is no surprise as OGCA has been a strong supporter for many years.

The surprise came as OGCA President Fred Kolb asked if I could get the attention of Buckeye Firearms Association President Jim Irvine. That was no small task at the Bash, as Irvine seemed to be everywhere greeting people and chatting, often with elected officials. The reason to find Irvine? Kolb was holding quite a surprise for the Foundation in the form of a $5,000 check to support the FASTER Saves Lives program.

Certainly BFF appreciates the support over many years from the OGCA. Our supporters and OGCA members share a passion for the Second Amendment, the shooting sports, self-defense and the wide world of firearms collecting. The OGCA has now passed the 80th birthday mark and is the largest gun collectors organization in the United States. This is a tribute to all the dedicated OGCA members and leadership who have worked so hard for so long. While a much younger organization, the leadership of Buckeye Firearms Association and its Foundation demonstrates that same commitment and work ethic. The OGCA has stepped up many times to fund FASTER and are a leading donor to the program.

Irvine noted, "OGCA and our organization have long shared members and a common cause. OGCA leadership helped us become the group it is today and our partnership has allowed us to do great things. They were a catalyst that allowed us to reach critical mass, and continue to be a donor that makes a significant impact in our ability to help schools looking for the best training in the world to deal with school violence and trauma injuries. We look forward to continued cooperative efforts as we each do what we specialize at, and work together on common interests. This brings maximum benefit to all gun owners in Ohio and beyond. I am grateful to the leadership of OGCA who have extended their friendship, expertise, and trust in us for many years, and I look forward to more great things to come."

Nowhere is the leadership effort more noticeable than with the creation of the FASTER Saves Lives program. Recognizing that existing measures were not solving the problem, our leaders stepped up to the plate with a new solution. They recognized that faster response to school shooting meant fewer victims. That solution became the FASTER Saves Live program and it has shocked and rocked the world.

The concept of arming teachers and school administrators first shocked the anti-gun community. There was a stunned silence in the community forum as the program was boldly announced on a live TV broadcast. This was not to be a "give a teacher a gun" program, but rather a comprehensive program with intensive training for teachers, school administrators and staff. It was developed by some of the leading firearms trainers and law enforcement with real world SWAT experience, Tactical Defense Institute's John Benner and Chris Cerino of The Cerino Training Group. The training also includes emergency medical experts and provides trauma kits to participating school districts. The training was initially offered at no expense to school districts, funded entirely by Buckeye Firearms Foundation.

Today the FASTER Saves Lives program has been modeled in other states and has received international recognition. The commitment to excellence in training remains as strong as ever. In fact, the FASTER Saves Lives participants are held to a higher standard for completion of the training than most law enforcement personnel in Ohio. The partnership with the OGCA and their continued generous support are key to making the program available to even more school districts ultimately protecting more of our precious young people. The entire leadership team of Buckeye Firearms Association and Buckeye Firearms Foundation sincerely thanks OGCA for this partnership and our continued friendship.

Click here for more information on the FASTER Saves Lives program. Visit the Ohio Gun Collectors Associaiton for more information about their organization.