Yesterday, Reed Exhibitions announced that exhibitors would not be permitted to show or sell modern sporting home defense tactical rifles at this year’s Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show in Harrisburg. They’d decided “not to include certain products that in the current climate may attract negative attention that would distract from the strong focus on hunting and fishing.” [Full statement after the jump.] According to blog.pennlive.com, “Ed Several, general manager of the show, said the decision will impact five exhibitors out of the more than 1200 registered for the 2013 show . . . Several said the decision covers ‘just this year. Take a break for a year.'” The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) condemned the action but recommended that show-goers should go to show and protest the decision. [Press release after the jump.] Once again, The People of the Gun are learning who their friends are . . .
Reed Exhibitions Statement:
“The Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show is a unique celebration of the authentic hunting and fishing traditions that are cherished by millions of Americans and their families.
“We are proud to celebrate these pastimes by featuring 1,200 exhibitors offering a diverse range of products from outfitters to fishing boats and RVs, from archery to art and from clothes to cabins.
“As a hunting-focused event, we welcome exhibitors who wish to showcase products and firearms that serve the traditional needs of the sport.
“Clearly, we strongly support the Second Amendment.
“However, this year we have made the decision not to include certain products that in the current climate may attract negative attention that would distract from the strong focus on hunting and fishing at this family-oriented event and possibly disrupt the broader positive experience of our guests.
“ESS is proud to participate in the preservation and promotion of the rich hunting and fishing tradition passed from generation to generation by American families.”
NSSF press release:
The National Shooting Sports Foundation strongly disagrees with the decision of the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show’s management to disallow the display and sale of Modern Sporting Rifles at its 2013 exhibition. In our discussions with Reed Exhibitions, we have made this very clear. While assuring us that all legally available firearms will be welcome at future Eastern Sports and Outdoor Shows, it was explained that this unfortunate decision was made in response to the planned actions of a single retailer that would have drawn significant unwelcomed media coverage at a time when firearms ownership is being assailed in the media. It is important to note that this year’s show will continue to feature a wide variety of firearms. However . . .
It would be unfair to penalize the 1,200 exhibitors or the some 200,000 sportsmen and women who will attend the show by discouraging participation at a time when the hunting and shooting sports community needs to be united in the face of political challenges. We urge industry exhibitors and attendees to participate in the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show as planned and encourage attendees to visit the Reed Exhibitions booth at the show to share their concerns and to then enjoy the show.
So… you’re encouraging the most righteously peeved to STILL GO, is that it? ‘Cause no one should like, try and make a point by not attending. Right?
Slippery slope, give a little here, little there. Wake up one morning, swastika flying on your flagpole.
At least one vendor (who does NOT sell “evil black rifles”, by the way) has opted out in protest over this:
http://natureblinds.com/nature-blinds-llc-withdraws-from-eastern-sports-and-outdoors-show/
These idiots just dont get it. The #1 libtard antigunner tactic is to divide and conquer by uttering the phrase “I’m a hunter, but……”. Do people hunt with semiauto rifles and shotguns, because they are next. Followed by…?
Text to Reed Co.
Ms. Davis
My sons and i have attended this show from the first evevt. For the last 4 years, my grandsons have attended the Eastern PA sports show in Harrisburg pa. We will not be attending this year due to Reeds decision to align itself with the Obama administration attempt at a gun ban. I am saddened by this because the show was something my family looked forward to. We took a day off from school/work to attend every year and stayed at local hotel where my boys would swim after dinner. Not this year and not any year if this left wing ban is instituted and continued.
Jack ODonnell and Family
How about you (NSSF) disclose this anti-2A retailer and what they were intending to do.
My impression that it was a hardline pro-2A retailer that would have drawn too much bad press. And I’m still confused, did the black rifle ban stand? but they promise next year will be different?
I’d love it if there was no next year for Reed. I’m sure Chris OHara of Reed does not support this ban. He is perfectly capable of organizing a new show and I wish he would.
I’m curious as well, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that the retailer in question is anti-2A. It may be that they were vociferously pro-2A in a way that Reed Exhibitions thought would do more harm than good for our cause. I don’t know enough to say whether either entity, the retailer or Reed, is right or wrong in their actions.
One word: Dick’s
really small ones
I got the impression that one retailer was going to “heap the tables” with ar’s & the bradys would have a sh.t fit. This maybe was a decent decision, Randy
Randy, where the hell would they get heaps of ARs for their table, and why aren’t they selling them to me?
So to try to save the second amendment, the curtail the first. Nice group of guys.
I wonder how much they’ll love their “rich tradition of hunting” when the feds come for their guns next.
“We urge industry exhibitors and attendees to participate in the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show as planned and encourage attendees to visit the Reed Exhibitions booth at the show to share their concerns”
First of all, most of what I’m looking for cannot be found. Now the things that could be available will not be presented? I think a chorus of crickets at this venue will drive the point home more effectively.
I can’t judge this unless I know what the specific plans of this single retailer were. I have to think though that they could have just refunded his tables and told him not to show up. This would have solved the issue for the promoter while preserving the rights of others to conduct legal business.
It was more than one retailer. They cancelled the section of the show called the “Tactical Section”. There are other retailers who pulled out of the show in protest of this action. They did so knowing they would probably lose their expensive deposit. If you would like more information go here:
http://www.pagunblog.com/2013/01/18/eastern-sports-and-outdoor-show-bans-modern-rifles-magazines/
The single retailer that EJ is referring to is the one mentioned in this quote: “…this unfortunate decision was made in response to the planned actions of a single retailer that would have drawn significant unwelcomed media coverage…”
The way I understand it, the “single retailer” mentioned above was going to do something that Reed didn’t like, so Reed canceled the Tactical section, which led to other exhibitors pulling out of the show. We’re wondering what that “single retailer” was planning.
The NSSF is the gun industry’s mouthpiece, and the gun industry does what the G tell it to do. The gun industry isn’t supporting us at all. It rolled over for Clinton and it will roll over for POS-POTUS.
regrettably that’s because governments buy way more guns than us citizens do. One sweet contract is the equal of more than a year of sales to the public and they don’t want to jeopardize it.
Last year there were about 20 million NICS background checks. I’m not so sure the government buys more guns then we do.
You are correct!
I heard one dealer in the Akron area state on radio that he supports background checks for private sales, so the community could be safer essentially knowing that licensed dealers were involved in formerly private sales.
More money through more laws that benefit him and those like him.
As for those who intend to betray the bill of rights, don’t think that there won’t be consequences to your business, they want you gone too and this is just another way to accomplish that, and I will happily assist.
The aggravating thing about this is found on their website:
“As a hunting-focused event, we welcome exhibitors who wish to showcase products and firearms that serve the traditional needs of the sport. Clearly, we strongly support the 2nd Amendment.”
We talk about how the O-administration plays the divide and conquer card to separate hunters from other gun owners. This sort of thing simply plays into their hands.
Isn’t it amazing how there can be so much wrong within two following sentences? They declare that they’re a hunter-focused show, then cite their support for an amendment that has absolutely nothing to do with hunting.
“Clearly, we strongly support the Second Amendment.”
Clearly you don’t, fvcking hypocrites, liars, and enablers of fascism.
Boycott.
The NSSF can go fvck itself also for suggesting people still support tyranny and the practice of division – all in the name of unity, apparently. I suppose we should have attended the ’38 Olympics also because it wasn’t “fair” to the other athletes.
Now this is when all gun consumers should ban together against these corporations and boycott them. That’s solidarity not allowing these corporations succeed in dividing us. And dont kid yourself that’s exactly what there doing. Liberal media will eat this sh%t up
Clearly, they support the Second Amendment.
Yeah.
I know one thing: I won’t be visiting them this year.
John
Well, I wasn’t even going to go, but my heart sinks to realize that some of our fellow Americans will willingly slide down the slippery slope while claiming to love liberty.
I am ashamed to say that as a 25 year resident of the great commwealth of Pennsylvania, I have never been to this show. I have heard in the past that it is one of the best shows all year within 500 miles of me, and I’ve always wanted to go, but not this year.
I will never attend again.
Thanks for the heads-up.
I’ve been to and enjoyed the show and the Complex in years past. This year I will go to Bass Pro, Shyda’s, Cabelas, and any other shops I can find open in the area instead. I will show my support to those who stand up and with Law Abiding citizens.
Lets all boycott the Eastern Sports and Outdoor show in Harrisburg, Pa. and all the money we would have spent their and getting there donate to the NRA or Ted Nugent!!!!!
2 million bullets has agreed to not attend the Eastern Sports Show under the current circumstances. Our mission to prioritize youth will continue with the support of those who are standing firm in this issue.
A charity can never afford to loose funding and we are hoping that those who do not attend will consider helping us out of the red by donating your attendance, food or travel fees at 2millionbullets.org
“…authentic hunting and fishing traditions that are cherished by millions of Americans and their families….”
Apparently self-defense isn’t an authentic American tradition. This release is so full of weasel words, but the ‘authentic’ is a full 3 calibers ahead in the distasteful category.
Focus-grouped by their attorneys, no doubt.
Politics is a shameful business.
You dumbass son of a bitch! Do you realize you lost one of your main sponsors? I hope the show is a BIG BUST thIs year!!! Maybe then you’ll wake up and realize you screwed up bigtime!!! By the way, I WILL NOT BE ATTENDING EITHER!
You realize that Reed also runs the Shot Show don’t you? Hopefully they will find someone else to promote it next year.
Headquarters… in the UK
I think this is ridiculous. The people that attend this outdoor show are the true sportsmen of america. These are the “innnocent” people. So once again the “innocent” people are being punished by not allowing those certain kinds of guns at the outdoor show. Is there even any question whatsoever that any of these people attending the show would buy one of these weapons to use for any illegal actions??? Hell no. I don’t blame the other vendors to boycott the show as a result of this. And I’m sure they are losing a LOT of money. I will be boycotting the show as well. I hope the place is empty. The really bad outcome of it all-the other vendors that are still attending the show will have dramatically low sales. So who is really winning out of all this????
Along with the Obama administration and the liberal media, Reed exhibitions is drawing their own unwelcome media coverage and making implications that black rifles are the underlying cause of the Sandy Hook murders.
But we MUST unite & persevere.
Stupid gun grabbers. There is over 500k of deaths by cardiac problems. Another 1/2 million or so by cancers. 11k by guns and people are going nuts. Get real. What do laws do? How do laws stop criminals? Laws are for LAW abiding citizens. This is the start to dis-arm Americans. Take away our constitutional freedoms and we will be ruled by the almighty government. What you idiots don’t understand is that we are free because we have the RIGHT to bear arms. If you truly believe we are going to someday live in a violence free society where murders don’t take place then you have been sheltered all your life and haven’t experienced what lies out in this world. If you don’t like OUR freedoms in American then move to another country. Like the UK.
At first They Came for the Black Rifles but I said nothing , because I don’t like Black Rifles, Than they came for the Bird guns , and I said nothing because I don’t bird hunt, Then they came for the Cowboy Action Guns But I said Nothing because I dont like those, then they rounded up all of the Bow hunters and I still said nothing because they never stood up for my rights, So then they came for my guns , and there was nobody to stand up for me. “Game Over Boys” I don’t know about you but I dont want my Grandchildren Spiting on my Grave.. Boycott, Boycott, Boycott. For those of you who think that’s a bad idea , don’t worry as you know not enough that do, would make a difference but at least some would send a message. The rest of you divided sportsmen go and enjoy the show you never liked the Black rifles anyway!!!!!!
Reed had better get this corrected……….NOW! I know many people who want to attend the Sports Show, but will not if Reed goes thru with this. This is absolutly caving to the Obama Admin and doing what they do best……..causing disruption to an otherwise good event that thousands have enjoyed for many years!
I completely disagree with reeds stand on this issue. However we are stuck still attending with our booth as we would lose all our fees as well as our place for the following year and reed knows this. I would be in full support of these companies suing reed and also would be willing to silently protest by all wearing orange as was suggested by someone on this site. I respect the celebrities,cabelas,and all the other vendors that have pulled out and if I could afford to take the hit financially I would to. I think reed hurt us all much more by taking this stand and has generated far more bad publicity than whatever the other vendor cooked up.
Your fees for this year as well as your place for next year? I can’t know your business model, or how much of an impact to your bottom line results from your attendance at this show, but while I understand your desire to not waste the money already laid out for this year, I’m rather disappointed in your concern for “your place for next year.” If Reed doesn’t back off its stance on this issue, are you going to make the same excuse next year?
Reed is a British company…..They should be banned from doing business in the USA
I wouldn’t go if they paid me. If they don’t support all of RKBA they don’t really support any of it. Maybe they can get Piers Morgan to speak about shooting NRA members with machine guns.
I am 66 and have missed very few shows.This year I’ll let room for your gun grabbing dem’s . Bet they will show up by the bus load, ha ha .Don’t you know the main reason for the second amendment is to allow the PEOPLE to have the ability to protect themselves from an oppressive gov.
Where is it witten that a ‘Sports & Outdoor Show’ only pertains to the sports of hunting and fishing, and where is it written that any family member shall be restricted to the use of only those guns approved by ‘Reed Exhibitions’, in the practice of their chosen sport or outdoor activity? Is this not the USA, the land of the FREE and home of the BRAVE, as is now being proven to ‘Reed Exhibitions’ through the back-lash of their perditious policy of banning guns and accessories they have decided the American public should not be allowed to purchase. I guess the British never did really understand the ‘Delaration of Independence’, or the love of a free people of their ‘US Constitution’, and the rights and freedoms it affords to all Americans. Don’t mess with our 2nd Amendment, with your restrictive infringements of the rights it affords us.
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