We've been asked again by some of our Match Directors, how many additional competitors can a person register for a match when members call in to register. The answer is, yourself and one other person.

It has been IPSC Ontario Match Policy for many years now that when a person calls in to register for a match, he or she may only register themselves, and one other person. You cannot call in and book an entire squad for you and your friends. This is entirely unfair to all the others who are trying to call in to book a slot. Imagine what would happen if five or six people called in a booked slots for themselves and six or seven of their friends. That's right, no one else could call and get a slot to shoot the match because the match would be full in only a few calls.

It also used to be policy that you could only register for a Match no earleir than on the Monday, two weeks prior to the match, after 6:00pm. This is no longer the case and a competitor may register for a match as soon as the match date has been released by IPSC Ontario. So, if you see the match date in either the SitRep, or on the IPSC Ontario WebSite, you may call in to the registrar of the match, or send an email, and register for the match. The policy of registering yourself, and one other competitor is still in effect.

Bud Melless

Administrator - IPSC Ontario

Near the end of each year IPSC Ontario begins to receive membership renewals. However, many of you wait until much later in the year to renew. We're not sure why this is but it could be that some of you don't renew until the summer shooting season begins, or some of you may think your membership is due one year after you joined. In fact, membership in IPSC Ontario is from January 1st. to December 31st. each year, unless of course you were a new member joining after September 1st. In this case you also get the next year's membership included in your $60. membership fee.

For you new Range Officers this year, make sure you get your IPSC Ontario membership renewals in before December 31. If you've sent your blue provisional card in, you will get your "official" grey card only if you renew your membership.

The reality of it is that quite a few members wait until as late as July or even August to send in their renewals and this isn't good for a number of reasons.

IPSC Ontario needs your membership dues to function. With your money we purchase targets, patches, office supplies, Internet Web Services, SitRep, Black Badge Training Programs, NROI Training Programs and materials. IPSC Ontario even pays for the shirts that go to our Range Officers after they graduate from a Range Officer Seminar. Remember the great shirts the IPSC Ontario Team Members had these past few years? Yep, that's another place your money goes.

So please everyone, try to send in your IPSC Ontario membership renewals before the end of December this year. You'll not only be helping us, but you'd be helping yourselves as well.

Thanks everyone,

IPSC Ontario Board of Directors.

NROI received some questions recently regarding magazine length (in STANDARD DIVISION) and how it relates to the IPSC Canada rule exemptions, http://www.ipsc-canada.org/exempts.htm After consultation with IROA Vice President Doug Lewis, we can tell you that the following information is fact.

QUESTION: Can I use 170mm magazines in Standard Division?

ANSWER: IPSC Canada's rule exemptions allow the use of (170mm single-stack) magazines in Standard Division. Also, under these exemptions, the gun must fit in "the box" without the magazine inserted.

QUESTION: I have a new Para P16-40 with 10 rounds magazines that have plastic bases. Can I add 1/4" of foam rubber on the end to protect these fragile bases?

ANSWER: Standard Para steel magazines are 122 mm. If you add a 1/4" rubber bumper, the overall length would be about 129 mm. which is well under the 140mm maximum length. Although the IPSC Canada rule exemption states that the gun must fit "in-the-box" without the magazine inserted, double-stack magazines are still restricted to an overall length of 140mm. (including base pads or bumpers).

Go to http://www.ipsc.org/image/magsize.gif and measure your magazines in accordance with the diagram. It is very important that you understand that this rule exemption applies only in Canada and the United States. If you go anywhere else in the World, the "Mag in Pistol in Box" rule applies.

One final comment: The magazine length and the rest of the rules are an issue at ALL IPSC MATCHES. Clubs may not apply "special" regulations. If it's an IPSC match, and your magazines are too long, and another competitor complains or an Official calls for a measure ........you will be shooting in Open Division.

Best regards everyone.

Bud Melless

President - National Range Officers Institute of Canada

It was brought to our attention that at a recent Level II match that only one or two Range Officials were wearing their Range Officer shirts. What's happened to the pride?

When you took part in your Range Officer course you might remember that we mentioned something about proper Range Officer attire, and at a minimum, that's your RO shirt. The only "officials" that don't have an RO shirt are those new officials that are working toward their 3 match points to become certified as Range Officers. Everyone else officiating should be wearing their shirt. How do you expect competitors to know that you're an official if you don't wear the shirt? This particualr match was also trying to provide free refreshements to the RO's but since most of you weren't wearing your shirt the match staff didn't know who to charge for the drinks and some of them ended up paying. Too bad!! How do expect anyone to know that you're working the match if you're not wearing your shirt?

Of course, there might be some of you that have sent in your "blue" RO card but have not received your RO shirt yet, and this we understand. If you don't have it, you can't very well wear it.

When you become Range Officers we provide you with your shirts for a good reason, we want you to wear them. In future, please wear your RO shirt when officiating at IPSC matches.

On another note, we've discovered that there are people out there who are telling Match Directors that they're RO's and CRO's when they are not!! If you were a certified official you would know that Level II or higher IPSC matches require "CERTIFIED" officials. It's right there on the back of the RO card you'd have in your pocket if you really were an official.

Match Directors that allow people to officiate at their Level II matches who are not certified officials run the risk of having their match de-sanctioned. If this should happen, new Black Badge candidates may not use the match as their qualifier, and RO's will not earn their match points for that match. Please take a look at the IPSC Ontario WebSite, there's always an up-to-date list of members and RO's there for your use.

In discussion with the World Organization we have learned that if you are a current member and certified Black Badge holder, you may participate in IPSC rifle and shotgun matches without the need to take any other course.

Please see Rifle & Shotgun information for more details.

We know there are some of you that have not yet had the pleasure of participating in a practical shooting match. To find out more about the sport, or how you can become involved, contact one of the IPSC Ontario Affiliated Clubs in your area.

Once again, we have some exciting matches in store for you in the coming year and we want you all to come out, shoot and have fun.