Eastern Sports and Outdoors Show boycott - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jplinville · #1 01-23-2013, 07:44 AM

Over 150 sponsors pull out of Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show; causing concern over fate of show - CBS 21 News - Breaking news, sports and weather for the Harrisburg -York -Lancaster -Lebanon Pennsylvania area

Quote:

The Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show is billed as the largest show of its kind in North America. But after the event made a decision to ban assault weapons and high capacity magazines, it may now lose that title.
"We felt that getting involved last year was a good business decision. It has a lot of coverage, a lot of exposure," said Ben Bode of Trop Gun Shop in Elizabethtown.
Trop was one of the first vendors to boycott the show, and their customers responded. Trop's Facebook page exploded with 'likes', they received letter, faxes and praise from clients.
But that's not the case for the nine-day-long show, which is scheduled to begin on February 2.
Since the announcement of the ban, this Facebook page calling for a boycott already has nearly 10,000 likes. This is the Facebook list of vendors that have pulled out; more than 175 along with 20 celebrity speakers.
"While it was certainly a big decision, we could not rectify participating in something like that with an organization that is not supporting our second amendment rights." Bode said.
We did ask Bode at Trop Gun Shop if the store would consider going back to the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show if the organizers dropped the ban. And he said no, the damage has been done.
The show has about 1200 vendors, so about 15% are gone.

jplinville · #2 01-23-2013, 07:45 AM

NRA-ILA | NRA Withdraws from Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show Due to Reed Exhibitions Decision to Ban Modersn Sporting Rifles

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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.

jplinville · #3 01-23-2013, 07:46 AM

I suspect that number will increase to 250 or more by next weekend...

cmbdiesel · #4 01-23-2013, 09:33 AM

Just don't confuse financial decisions with decisions of conscience....

These vendors are not pulling out because they support anything beyond their bottom line.

cmbdiesel · #5 01-23-2013, 09:36 AM

"Modern Sporting Rifles".....

that's great... love a good spin job.

Every bit as bad as calling a Bushmaster an assault rifle....

elchivito · #6 01-23-2013, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmbdiesel

"Modern Sporting Rifles".....

that's great... love a good spin job.

Every bit as bad as calling a Bushmaster an assault rifle....

I don't know. You could hit a baseball with one. The adjustable stock might make for a nice sand trap club.

Botnst · #7 01-23-2013, 12:56 PM

Adjustable stocks cause murder.

jplinville · #8 01-23-2013, 01:55 PM

Savage, which doesn't manufacture weapons of that type, has recently announced that they will not be attending as well.

elchivito · #9 01-23-2013, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Botnst

Adjustable stocks cause murder.

I thought it was evil flash suppressors. They make regular people go crazy. Or something.

Pooka · #10 01-23-2013, 03:32 PM

This is interesting.

The bottom line on this will, of course, be the bottom line. If the show can continue without these groups then other shows might follow suit.

I remember the same thing took place about 40 years ago with Auto Swap Meets. When one Meet banned anything not auto related there was a giant outcry from vendors, but that did not stop the show which is now bigger than ever.

If this show appeals more to the true sportsman and not the crazies, which is at least the front they are putting up, and then it is a success then this is the first nail in the coffin for the NRA.

I am sure the NRA knows this, so expect them to be screaming for everyone to boycott this show.

An old saying in the entertainment world.... One Monkey don't stop no show.

spdrun · #11 01-23-2013, 04:14 PM

Isn't there plenty of outdoor sports equipment that doesn't shoot bullets? There are plenty of gun shows that cater to people who need the latter. Boycotting the outdoor show for this reason strikes me as silly.

jplinville · #12 01-23-2013, 04:30 PM

Gun owners have been calling for the boycott since the promoter made the rule in December...the NRA was a bit slow to the punch.

Interestingly enough, Reed Exhibition, the promoter of the show, is owned by the same parent company that owns LexisNexis.