ABOUT THE OREGON FIREWORKS ASSOCIATION  

     The OFA is comprised of hobbyists and professional individuals across the state of
   Oregon who exercise the right to manufacture, buy, ignite and legally store pyrotechnic
   devices in all varieties and forms, for special effect/theatrical purposes, magic performances,
   educational reasons, for public display and non public display, hobby rocketeering (both
   high power and amature), black powder reenactment purposes, competition, or just plain fun!
   Everyone who is interested should have the same common goals: Safety and enjoyment.

     We strongly support our sister organization of the PGI ( Pyrotechnic guild international ).
   You have the right to enjoy fireworks in the state or Oregon. Have you ever had the feeling that
   something wasn't quite right in this state.........like no one has YOUR best interest at heart, and
   that the state authorities have a hidden agenda?  Well, you are in good company. Virtually everyone
   who loves this art has had the same intuition.  This state is controlled by weasels who flock to big
   money and they like to interpret the statutes in a twisted  manner, not consistent with common sense
   or the letter of the law, to protect their cash flow. They wrongfully declare almost every type of firework
   to be a "Public Display" item, and state that any firework in the state has to be bought through
   THEIR company. Yeah, Rrrrrrrright.. (Western Display Fireworks)..... a company that has long fancied
   themselves as having a corner on the market  in the fireworks industry due to political ties, is beginning to
   face the reality that the good people of Oregon will not tolerate criminals who try and control their love
   love for pyrotechnics. This goes against everything this state and our great Country was founded on!
     Sorry Western! The cat's out of the bag. We exposed them twice, and we will do it
   again, until the state is operating on a level playing field. Western has been sued under the RICO statute, which
   caused many of their own employees to turn states evidence on them. (Check out the link to the corruption)
   When the ship starts to sink, the rats scatter.
   We have a team of expert witnesses and professionals on every level and we have a lot to offer. The OFA
   dues are deposited into a defense fund that is used for the benefit of members. We have our own lobbyists and   
   are becoming more politically active and connected by the day.

       Advantages of joining the OFA include:

    - Discount prices on pyrotechnic chemicals from a large variety of chemical
      suppliers and legal access to pyrotechnic supplies at awesome prices.
     - learn all laws pertaining to the use of pyrotechnics, explosives, cannons, rockets, and
        fireworks for non public display as well as the state licensing needed for public display.
    - Updates on current law change proposals.
    - Legal issues.
     - A voice that not just 'heard".  We ACT! If you have ANY issue with being treated unfairly as a business
       or as an individual, whether by another company...or by some paper pusher with an agenda, we are THE
       one association that can and WILL help. 
     - Access to private firework fun shoots and competition.
    - The rights of hobbyists/professionals to build and use all flavors of explosives/pyro for
      non-commercial and commercial reasons. Learn what kind of license is needed for your
      particular activity, and how to obtain it. 
    - Learn the difference between non-regulated items, semi regulated
      items, and federally regulated items...per the SEA (Safe Explosives Act) of 2003
      when a lot of changes came to pass.

  Quick question on consumer retail stands: Ever wonder why Oregon has such lame fireworks in the stands? (yes) Want to know why?

Answer: Two reasons. 

  1. The first reason is because the retail suppliers (Western) achieve a higher mark-up by selling
  "Smoke&Joke" (junk) for the same price you would pay for decent class C items in other states.
  Follow the money trail! They make look-alike items that are nothing more than paper product with   
  a tiny bit of composition in the top, and charge the same amount of $ or more than you would pay for
  quality multi-shot items from Idaho or via mail-order suppliers.  Also note that the same "powers" own
  strategically located outlets  right  across  the boarder in Washington where they target Oregonians and
  charge outrageous prices. They 'do' offer to waive the sales tax if you live in Oregon. How very patronizing   
  of them.   Ever see anyone get an actual ticket for possessing consumer fireworks that they brought in
  Washington?  No? That's because Oregon is Civil/Administrative and not Criminal/Prohibitive like
  states such as California. Interesting huh? You'll here every year that "They are really cracking down this year"
  Well, "They" have been saying this since I was 5 years old, and I've never seen anyone get a ticket for having
  1.4G items (Note: You CAN get nailed for disturbing the peace or a variety of "Reckless" charges if you
  are being an idiot and popping off a roman candle in a hay field during August)
  In fact, the only the only thing I've ever seen is so-called fire "Authorities" and police confiscate "Offending
  product" and give it to their own families and friends. It's an unwritten law that a fire authority can keep what
  they steal, while bluffing a bogus criminal charge that the hapless victim believes to be true.
  We've all seen it a hundred times in our lives and I'm sure it will continue into the future, knowing human nature
  like I do.

  2. The second reason is one that the state can use to support the big money that supports the retail stand's.
  You see, a retail stand has a lot of restrictions. They can only sell for a week or so per year. They are inspected
  to make sure that all of the product comes from a state "Wholesaler", etc.   However, they ARE allowed to sell
  to kids and mentally challenged people. In fact, they can't discriminate against a 14 year old who is mentally
  handy-capped. For this reason, the type of consumer product sold from stands has to be very tame. These rules
  aren't designed for responsible adults. They are designed to protect the State, the wholesalers and their pimps
  from liability. Everything is done for a reason, carefully executed "In the name of safety" to line the pockets of the   
  few major players. Once you know what's behind the scenes, it's all crystal clear. 

  This is why you can't buy a bottle rocket in a retail stand, yet you can build a rocket 10X bigger than a bottle rocket
  and legally set it off.  This is why you can make your own black powder firecracker for same-day use, but you can't
  buy a lady finger at a stand.
  So get out of the mind set that you are bound ONLY to retail stands during a one-week sales
  period.  Some of the items sold in Oregon stands are great. A lot of the folks that run them are great people and hard
  workers. .
  It's just that they have to comply with the rules set before them. Remember though, "Most" pyrotechnics are not 1.4G
  consumer fireworks (UN0336).  So most pyrotechnics are simply not regulated as harshly if you build them or buy them
  legally in the right manner, as an adult using them in a technical or professional manner. Research everything you do before
  hand so that you fully understand the activity, seek advise from someone more experienced (Good luck finding someone!....
  that's why we are here). As a member, you have the ability to contact us for ANY question you may have, and if it's something
  we don't know.....we WILL find someone with an accurate answer for you. A lot of rules are written so vague, that there
  IS NO accurate answer, just opinions....and opinions may vary.  This is why we always consult our lawyers who are fireworks
  experts and we also consult the NFPA headquarters when an issue comes up that is not addressed in statutes.
      If there isn't a pyro-range near you, then create one with the help of your local Fire Chief (AJHJ)
  Safety is the important issue here. Build it in a place where you won't be bothering others, and keep the area disked or irrigated
  while it's in use. Join the thousands of members who love this art and get active today!