Gun Show Sponsor Feeds Crocodile, Gets Eaten First

Reed Exhibitions, the organizer of the Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, PA, thought it would be a good idea to be all sensitive and caring by banning Evil Black Rifles™ from this year's show, which was scheduled for Feb. 2-10.

This decision proved highly unpopular with the show's exhibitors, who began cancelling in droves.

So many canceled, in fact, that Reed Exhibitions has now postponed the show with this weaselly statement on their website (emphasis added):

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.”

Ummm, no, asshat. Everyone even tangentially involved in the shooting sports is "directly affected" by the anti-second amendment agenda of the left, and we're united in opposition to it. As evidence that things are different this time around, note that the list of sponsors who told Reed Exhibitions to get bent includes companies like Ruger, who went along with the Clinton-era "assault weapons" ban and have obviously realized the error of their ways.

I'd encourage everyone to seek out and do business with the vendors on the list of boycotters and also to continue giving the finger to Reed Exhibitions and anyone else who makes the mistake of trying to divide and conquer on the second amendment.

Update - Hollowpoint puts us some irony in the comments:

What's funny is that there likely wouldn't have been many Evil Black Rifles for sale anyways- they're all sold out.

posted by Andy at 11:59 AM

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