Largest Pa. gun show says no to assault weapons

[onehandle]

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer

Pennsylvania gun owners threatened to boycott the state's largest hunting and fishing expo Tuesday after organizers announced that they would ban the display and sale of assault rifles at this year's show. Reed Exhibitions, a British-based company that runs the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show in Harrisburg each February, notified vendors of the change in policy over the last several days, a company representative confirmed to The Inquirer.

The presence of so-called assault weapons and high-capacity magazines might have served as "a distraction" from other aspects of the event in the wake of the recent school shootings in Newtown, Conn., and the ensuing national debate about gun policy, said Ed Several, a senior vice president for the company's North American operations. "Given the current climate with those products right now, we thought, 'Let's take a break for a year,' " Several said. "There's so much more to the show."

The decision came two months after the company announced that this year's expo would feature several tactical-firearms vendors for the first time. By late Tuesday, a news release on the show's website was replaced with a statement explaining the organizer's change of heart.

As news leaked out earlier in the day, it angered gun-rights advocates. "I'm outraged that the show would just roll over when it comes to the Second Amendment," read a comment on the show's Facebook page. "We will probably be seeking a refund." Another comment: "Sellouts! Say goodbye to my family and money." Many called for a boycott. Since the announcement, from three to five exhibitors of the 1,200 scheduled for the expo have dropped out, Several said. Other vendors have urged the company to reconsider its ban.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/state/20130116_Largest_Pa__gun_show_to_ban_assault_weapons.html

[cantbeserious]

1. One Step On The Long Road To Eliminating These Weapons From Society

eom

[Sherman A1]

2. It's a start

and a good one.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Good.

[DainBramaged]

4. "I'm outraged that the show would just roll over when it comes to the Second Amendment,"

If they sold muskets, maybe.

[groundloop]

8. If they sold muskets..... to members of a well regulated militia

Yeah, every family needs several assault weapons and high capacity magazines in their den.

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. Go ahead and boycott the show.

Nobody will miss them anyway.

[bowens43]

6. gun-rights advocates = nut job lunatic fringe

"I'm outraged that the show would just roll over when it comes to the Second Amendment,"

every time one of these nut jobs opens his mouth we have another reason to ban the sale of firearms and ammunition

[Jefferson23]

7. Is it an exageration to say these gun freaks froth at the mouth at ANY type of curb in their party?

Their reactions sicken me.

[Chorophyll]

9. Not an exaggeration at all.

And despite their constant references to it, they wouldn't know the Constitution if it jumped up and bit them on the ass.

[Aristus]

10. Just as I predicted:

The yahoos, rednecks, hillbillys, yip-yops, cousin-fuckers, clodhoppers, shitbirds, and assclowns are freaking out about it...

[yorokmok]

11. "this year's expo would feature several tactical-firearms vendors for the first time"

Do they cater to the hunting groups? Why do they need 'tactical-firearms vendors' at a civilian show that is open to families?

[bermudat]

12. 3-5 out of 1200?

<Since the announcement, from three to five exhibitors of the 1,200 scheduled for the expo have dropped out, Several said.> I think that is admirable that only .41% of exhibitors dropped out. I would have thought it would have been a deluge. Maybe gun sellers realize going all in on assault isn't worth it.