Eastern Outdoors Show -- PA Folks Let Them Hear You!

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Penoe Hunter

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The Eastern Outdoor show in Harrisburg has told exhibitors that they are not to display or bring any "tactical weapons" or accessories. This is after the ads for the show advertised a "new larger gun and tactical alley" The presenter Reeds Expo are the same people that put on the SHOT Show. All the major gun rights groups have booths at the show. This is a very bad trend! :cuss:
 
Can you provide a citation? I would like to pass that along to a LOT of people, but I want it verified first.
 
From their Face Book Page:


https://www.facebook.com/#!/EasternSports

Status Update

By Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show

Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show-Update

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 2nd 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.
 
Thank you!

Left feedback on their site and contacted a few vendors as well.

Light 'em UP, folks!
 
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Anyone that attends is in that group of people that get exactally what they deserve. For the Country please BOYCOTT
 
I pray it is so!

I forwarded it to many members (including the President) of my gun club, which is very local to Harrisburg) and also to Walt Jones for distribution through his IDPA & Competition weekly mailing list which reaches several thousand shooters all over PA, MD, NY, and NJ.
 
The individual vendors scheduled to set up need to voice their disapproval of the decision of the promoters to throw a legitimate segment of the shooting sports family under the bus. They're going to have to decide if it is worthwhile to travel to a show that may have low attendance and face the controversy that the the promoters have caused. Bad for them and their businesses and bad for us if they don't cancel and find something worthwhile to do.
 
Here's the website for the show http://www.easternsportshow.com/Exhibitors/Want-to-Exhibit/
Here's the link for information on the exhibitors - http://www.mapyourshow.com/shows/index.cfm?show_id=ess13

There is some information on the exhibitors on the site that will allow you to contact the individual exhibitors to make them aware of the controversy and opposition they're likely to face. While the majority of them appear to be exclusively hunting oriented the NY ban would make the semiauto hunting rifle a thing of the past impacting their customers. Encourage them to contact the promoters and ask for an explanation of why a legitimate segment of the shooting sports family has been treated this way. Encourage them to not set up.
 
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I will not attend and will advise anyone that I know to do the same. It would have been interesting to browse the VAST area that is the complex to see what the prices are up to on firearms, ammo and accessories. My local shop may get 1 AR in a week and it is usually spoken for. The ammo amount is down also, 9mm and 223 down. The front runners are coming in and buying up everything. I am talking people who have never owned a firearm. Anyone else see this. Oh my local shop is not gouging. Good people.
 
we welcome...firearms that serve the traditional needs of the sport. Clearly, we strongly support the 2nd Amendment.
Click to expand...

Coulda fooled me :scrutiny:
Folks, don't bother wasting time posting on their Facebook page; go straight to any all linked vendors or show attendees and make your displeasure known there--especially if you live within driving range of the show/vendors.

revengeOfTheNerds.jpg
"FUUUUDDDD!!!"
 
Response from NRA:
NRA's statement on the ESOS:


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.

Pretty weak
 
Not sure exactly what I'd do in the NRA's shoes. A big show like this is a huge PR and recruitment opportunity and simply not being present hurts the organization -- and probably hurts NRA more than Reed. Further, considering the heat on the NRA right now, being seen as retreating from any public venue is not a show of strength. Yeah, they can try an explain that it's because of the assault rifle issue, but it's really a no-win situation for NRA.

On the one hand, yeah ... they "should' boycott just on general principle. On the other hand, they've really got to try and make the smartest overall move, not the most immediately palatable one.
 
The NRA can NOT take a hard line stand in Congress at the same time they are compromising their stance within the industry.

They NEED to boycott this event, or they will lose me and those like me.
 
Somehow I'm seeing their decision there as a lot more nuanced than to invite a "I'm ditching the NRA if they are present at the show" response. As I said, dropping out will hurt them a lot more than it will hurt Reed. VERY few people would be coming to the show just to see the NRA folks, but the NRA gets the chance to talk to and be seen by ~250,000 visitors. It's hard to make a boycott compelling when the one you're boycotting stands to lose almost nothing from your absence.

In face, based on the NRA's statements, I'd bet Reed would be QUITE HAPPY if NRA didn't show up.
 
Maybe the NRA should encourage its standing members to boycott the event. And advise all current members and future members to avoid any events that only encourage "some" shooting sports. The NRA's verbal response is weak. Does that really state that they "strongly disagree' with Reed Promotions position???
 
NSSF Statement on Reed Exhibitions' Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show

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.
 
Cabelas

Due to recent changes made by Reed Exhibitions regarding the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show, Cabelas will no longer sponsor this years event. After careful consideration regarding Cabelas business practices, and the feelings of our customers, Cabelas will, unfortunately, not have a presence at the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show.





https://www.facebook.com/Cabelas
 
Due to recent changes made by Reed Exhibitions regarding the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show, Cabelas will no longer sponsor this years event. After careful consideration regarding Cabelas business practices, and the feelings of our customers, Cabelas will, unfortunately, not have a presence at the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show.
Click to expand...
That's fantastic! At least one of the notes I sent did some good! Cabela's was a front-page, banner sponsor! OUCH! :)
 
NRA ought to boycott them next year. They've probably already been roped into paying for the tables, so I can't fault them for sticking around

TCB
 
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