state news
(From page 34)
Ohio Lou Tansky, President Ohio Pawnbrokers Association Uncle Ben’s Pawn Shop Cleveland, OH
NEWS
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states, has been a hotbed of activity, Pawnbrokers Association (OPA) is currently working with new pawn shopscases, opening andhave on. police intentionally been giving our members false others being bought and sold. regarding their reporting requirements. information Senate Bill 262 was recently introduced as a re-write to The Ohio Pawnbrokers Association (OPA) continues Many industry associations have certain sections of the Ohio Pawnbrokers to support its members. While we cannot act as their legalAct (ORC By the time you read this, we will have had concerns about public companies we4727). This legislation initiated the large, multirepresentative, do have legal counsel was available to by provide our 2012 annual membership meeting. I am hopeful buying Ohio member stores and then not Texas-based payday loan corporation, Cash suggestions to helpnational, solve problems with law enforcement. pawnbrokers were able to attend this meeting because we arethe association—they supporting This was response to earlier attempts to reAdditionally, weAmerica. will continue to acommunicate with law under attack in the State of Ohio. just drop their membership. Indiana write 4727 and drastically impede competition through enforcement and educate them on the reporting requirements While the past several years have been relatively problem is feeling the pain. However, the Ohio Indiana theCode legislative under Revised 4727. process. Pawnbrokers Association (IPA)Some is stilllaw enforcement officials are insisting information in free, recently we are experiencing much more aggressive, maintaining 50% of non-public operators as In that earlier attempt, and unwarranted, action on the part of lawover enforcement and your daily reports be provided to third-party, private electronic members. OPA successfully delivered prosecutors. reporting services such as Leads Online. Our legal advisors our message that, as We have received word of numerous incidents where police have strongly suggested that you not use such services. It is our In November of in2011, sponsored a GIA representatives of the pawn are ordering pawnbrokers to provide information dailyIPA reports belief that doing so may be a violation of the federal GrammDiamond Grading ClassIninsome Indianapolis, which industry in Ohio, the proposed in excess of what is required by the Ohio Revised Code. Leach-Bliley Act which addresses the dissemination of nonsold out. Five diamond buyers were invited to legislation was one company’s public information in a private financial transaction. buy from those bringing goods to sell. IPA will be attempt to put independents You DO NOT need to provide this information in these sponsoring a class again in October or November out of business and take over the reports. If you are directly contacted by law enforcement for any of 2012. pawn industry within the state. information on any transaction, either by phone or in person, by
means However, may This year the Midwest Pawn Conventionallwill be assist them Thein any way newpossible. legislation will be you much more difficult be placing riskAmerica by providing any additional held in Indianapolis, May 18th-20th. There will be your business to fight.atCash has pulled out all the stops daily reports. an amazing roster of timely educationalinformation seminars in yourand is doing everything they can to influence our prosecutors around the state have insisted and a variety of vendors. This event site isSeveral close county legislators. thateasily pawnbrokers give allegedly stolen merchandise directly to Indianapolis International Airport, and back tothat the victims,This ignoring the pawnbroker’s rightsofunder accessible from the many interstate highways is where you, as a member OPA,the needs to step Ohio Revised Codein.and protections under due process. intersect Indianapolis. We need every member, all your employees, your The OPA remains strongly opposed to these attempts to deny family, friends and neighbors to contact your elected pawnbrokers rights and protections. Weyou areoppose helpingSB262. our Tell The exhibit hall is sold out, and the attendee fee has theirofficials to let them know members fight these attempts. However,isthis where I need to industry been reduced them this legislation notissupported by the remind $20 each of youand that you, create as a pawnbroker and member of another would undue hardships on pawnbrokers the OPA and National Pawnbrokers again this year! across the state. Association, must join the fight. We cannot do it alone.
Please take the time to protect your industry.
Alta Diamonds, LLC We buy and sell clarity enhanced diamonds. 1.800.391.0012 62 W 47th Street, Ste 302 Ph: 212-221-9808, Fax: 212-221-9800 www.altadiamonds.net
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... We are under attack in INDIANA OHIO the State of Ohio. Indiana, as well as many other There are a number of legislative issues that the Ohio
largest city, currently has three independent operators, and the remaining stores are owned by the big three public companies.
Press Releases
NPA_MAG_FEB2012.indd 52
40 | National Pawnbrokers Association | Spring 2012
Please send your company’s press releases to Chris Pearcey, chris@nationalpawnbrokers.org. We’d love to know what is going on!
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