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Tandemkross

Author Topic: Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show (Harrisburg Show) Falling Apart After Gun Ban  (Read 11168 times)

Offline GunLink

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Vendors Flee from Harrisburg Show Following Rifle, Magazine Prohibition

The “World’s Foremost Outfitter” is pulling out of the largest consumer hunting, fishing and outdoor show in North America due to a change in policies regarding certain types of firearms at the show.  Cabela’s move started what is now turning into a landslide as more than 60 vendors have dropped out of the Eastern Sports and Outdoors Show in Harrisburg, PA.

ESS organizers, UK-based Reed Exhibitions (who also manage the NSSF SHOT Show), made a decision not to allow the display or sale of so-called “assault weapons” or “high capacity” magazines, sharing the following statement on the show website...
(Continue reading on GunLink Blog)



I love it - the International Bowhunting Organization (IBO) released the following:

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IBO & Eastern Sports and Outdoors Show
Due to the announcement by Reed Exhibitions that manufacturers and vendors with legal modern sporting rifles, accessories, magazines and related items will not be permitted at the 2013 Eastern Sports and Outdoors Show, the International Bowhunting Organization (IBO) will not be attending the event.


The PA-3D Bowhunter’s Challenge and IBO Indoor Nationals will take place as previously advertised, albeit without IBO representation.  The local PA-3D Bowhunters organization has opted to host and oversee the shooting event on its own.  The logistics involved in administering the competition, along with registered participants’ concerns with travel plans and airline reservations, are contributing factors for the decision to continue these events.  
Proceeds received by the IBO in shooter fees, along with the Rinehart Target Fee, will be donated to the National Rifle Association specifically to fight the threats to The Second Amendment currently being faced by law-abiding American firearms owners.
The IBO stands with those who have chosen to boycott the Eastern Sports and Outdoor show and strongly condemns the action taken by Reed Exhibitions.  
We will not stand idly and tolerate the ignorance of political correctness in the face of the truth.





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NRA Statement in Response to Reed Exhibitions' Decision to Ban Modern Sporting Rifles from the Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show


The National Rifle Association strongly disagrees with Reed Exhibitions' decision to ban Modern Sporting Rifles from the Eastern Sports Show in Harrisburg, PA, February 2-10. We encourage Reed Exhibitions to reconsider their position.

While this decision has come as a surprise and concern, we have made a commitment to our members in Pennsylvania and surrounding states and are eagerly looking forward to the opportunity to interact with as many as 250,000 fellow hunters and sportsmen. We encourage all attendees to stand and fight for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens and not cower from our principles in the face of media pressure. We urge you to follow the NRA and the outdoor industry's lead by voicing your displeasure with Reed Exhibitions both before and during the show and encourage them to reconsider their position.

The NRA's future participation in the Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show will be determined by Reed Exhibitions actions in response to the concerns raised by the NRA, the outdoor industry, and America's law-abiding gun owners.

Contact Reed Exhibitions directly at inquiry@reedexpo.com



Updated statement from NRA (added 1/22/13 21:45)

Quote
NRA Withdraws from Eastern Sports & Outdoors Show Due to Reed Exhibitions Decision to Ban Modern Sporting Rifles


Due to Reed Exhibitions' refusal to reconsider their decision to ban Modern Sporting Rifles from the February 2-10 Eastern Sports Show in Harrisburg, PA, the National Rifle Association has decided to withdraw from the show. We had called on Reed Exhibitions to reconsider their decision; unfortunately they have steadfastly refused to do so. As a result, the NRA will not be participating in the upcoming show in Harrisburg or in any other shows hosted by Reed Exhibitions that maintain this policy. We are disappointed that Reed Exhibitions has ignored the concerns expressed by attendees, the outdoor industry and the NRA in not reconsidering their position to ban the display of Modern Sporting Rifles.







It's time to band together and stop letting our rights be steamrolled by ignorance and political correctness.  It's great to see companies stand up against this type of thing like the ESOS vendors are doing here and like others did with the RECOIL fiasco.  Rolling over and saying "Ok, some psycho murdered people with this object - let's pretend like we don't want anything to do with that object" is tantamount to accepting blame for that idiot's actions or, even more absurdly, assigning the blame to the object itself!

How many car dealerships take a break from selling cars (or car owners from driving) every time there is a fatal accident?  Knife manufacturers and owners after stabbings?  Breweries or distilleries after fatal DUI crashes, alcohol poisonings, cirrhosis deaths, etc?  Nobody is stupid enough to be brainwashed into believing that something like this needs to happen in those industries; what's the difference here?

Glad to see people sitting up and taking notice.
« Last Edit: January 22, 2013, 09:47:36 PM by GunLink »

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Offline GunLink

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This is the latest list of people we've seen who have pulled out of the show.  Looks like around 165 vendors, by our count.


...My List...



The list keeps growing and growing and we can't keep pace.  Below is the list that's being maintained at My Northeast Outdoors, which is up to 234!


Also from their website:
Quote
Please Also Remember – Going Live on Feb 2nd – The Start of The Eastern Sports and Outdoors Show – www.MyNortheastClassifieds.com will go live to the public.  We will be providing any vendor who has pulled out of the show a FREE centrally located marketplace to sell their items, products, services, etc.  Supporting members of the public will have the confidence that ONLY vendors and items listed in this market place will be by approved vendors.  This is a great way for you to help support those vendors who stood up for our rights, and many who have lost thousands of dollars by pulling out will depend on this income to help defray their costs.



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« Last Edit: January 23, 2013, 09:51:48 PM by GunLink »

Offline GunLink

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NSSF Statement on the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show
January 24, 2013

We have just learned that Reed Exhibitions has decided to postpone the 2013 Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show.

In the days following Reed Exhibitions’ announcement that modern sporting rifles would be prohibited from the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show, the leadership of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has been in intense, frank discussions with Reed Exhibitions management in an effort to reverse this unacceptable decision. These discussions reached an impasse.

NSSF is in no way affiliated with, nor does it participate in or exhibit at this show in any way. Reed Exhibitions does, however, manage the NSSF-owned SHOT Show (though Reed manages the SHOT Show, all SHOT Show decisions, policies and actions are made at NSSF’s direction).

Because of Reed’s recent actions, NSSF is considering all options regarding the management of future SHOT Shows.

Offline GunLink

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Amazing.  Directly from the ESOS web page:


Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show - Update - January 24, 2013

Reed Exhibitions has decided to postpone, for now, the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show given the controversy surrounding its decision to limit the sale or display of modern sporting rifles (also called ARs) at the event. The show was scheduled to take place February 2-10 in Harrisburg, PA.

“Our original decision not to include certain products in the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show this year was made in order to preserve the event’s historical focus on the hunting and fishing traditions enjoyed by American families,” said Chet Burchett, Reed Exhibitions President for the Americas. “In the current climate, we felt that the presence of MSRs would distract from the theme of hunting and fishing, disrupting the broader experience of our guests. This was intended simply as a product decision, of the type event organizers need to make every day.

“It has become very clear to us after speaking with our customers that the event could not be held because the atmosphere of this year’s show would not be conducive to an event that is designed to provide family enjoyment. It is unfortunate that in the current emotionally charged atmosphere this celebratory event has become overshadowed by a decision that directly affected a small percentage of more than 1,000 exhibits showcasing products and services for those interested in hunting and fishing.

“ESS has long been proud to participate in the preservation and promotion of hunting and fishing traditions, and we hope that as the national debate clarifies, we will have an opportunity to consider rescheduling the event when the time is right to focus on the themes it celebrates.”

Offline CiLH

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Can anybody confirm that Reed Exhibitions is refusing to issue refunds to exhibitors who pulled out of the show after Reed Exhibitions' controversial decision to limit sale or display of modern sporting rifles (also called ARs) at the event?

First I heard that they would not and then that they would.

Offline masfonos

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I've heard different versions on facebook and other forums.  The first thing I heard was that attendees were being denied refunds because it was too close to the show to return your ticket.  I don't know how policy has changed since they postponed/canceled the show.

Vendors that tried to pull out before the show was canceled - I imagine that would depend on what their contract said.  It seems like them pulling out after the announcement might have one outcome.  The contracts might have also had some kind of "rain date" clause, so it's hard to tell how the postponement affects things.

I did see one person on facebook say that they were a vendor and requested a refund from the show's customer service people and they were given another phone number and told to call back next week to talk to someone else.

These guys sure stepped on their collective dicks with that move they made.  Bet they didn't expect that kind of backlash!

Offline GunLink

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Can anybody confirm that Reed Exhibitions is refusing to issue refunds to exhibitors who pulled out of the show after Reed Exhibitions' controversial decision to limit sale or display of modern sporting rifles (also called ARs) at the event?

First I heard that they would not and then that they would.


From Townhall
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Originally, show organizers refused to refund exhibitor fees, but reversed their decision this morning after the show was cancelled.

"Refunds will be provided for all fees paid to date (January 24, 2013) to Reed Exhibitions for the 2013 Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show. We will detail the refund process on our web site and in an additional email by January 31, 2013," Reed Exhibitions wrote in an email to exhibitors Thursday.

Offline CiLH

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Thanks for the fast response.  :)

Offline masfonos

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Sounds like the "buzz" was mostly right.

Offline 1slickAR15

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The phrases ' with friends like this who needs enemies' and 'would't piss on them if they were on fire' come to mind.  Divide and conquer.  Make the gap between the different kinds of gun owners even wider.

Offline GunLink

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National Rifle Association Selected to Produce Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, PA

After the flap that ensued from the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show earlier this year following the decision by Reed Exhibitions, managers of the NSSF SHOT Show, to ban the sale or display of modern sporting rifles, many thought that it might be a death knell for the show.  Fear not, fans of the outdoor sporting show – the National Rifle Association has stepped in to continue the Harisburg tradition with a new name and less knee-jerk anti-rights attitude:... continue reading on the GunLink Blog