2013 Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show Mired in Second Amendment Controversy

Posted At : January 22, 2013 9:43 AM | Posted By : Mike Hanback
Related Categories: Big Deer Blog

“The Harrisburg (PA) Show” has long been quite the event, with tens of thousands of hunters, shooters, fishermen, boaters, etc. coming from up and down the East Coast (and across America) to buy stuff, book hunting trips and vacations, gawk at the giant buck mounts, attend seminars, meet celebrities, enjoy cooking displays and just have a jolly good time for a week in early February. I have attended the show as both a seminar speaker and a consumer, and I always enjoyed it.

But things are not so jolly this year, and I won't be going. On the eve of the 2013 show, the event’s organizer, Reed Exhibitions, decided to ban the display and sale of Modern Sporting Rifles and high-capacity magazines. From the show’s website:

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.

A growing number of sportsman and small retailers began to voice their disapproval, and their intent to not attend this year’s show. Then on Saturday Cabela’s posted on Facebook:

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

Last I checked the Cabela's page, more than 13,000 followers, including me, have “liked” this status. Full disclosure, I am a pro-staff member for Cabela’s and proud of it.

And yesterday, Trijicon decided to withdraw its participation and support of this year’s show. Full disclosure, Trijicon is Big Deer TV’s exclusive riflescope sponsor. Also, many of the top-name TV personalities who were going there to give seminars and hawk stuff are jumping ship.

It will be interesting to see how many other companies/sponsors pull out, and if attendance is significantly down…or if Reed Exhibitions reverses this policy last-minute before the show opens?

What do you think of this mess? Have you ever attended the Harrisburg show? Will you go this year?

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I live 35 minutes from Harrisburg an attended the show on a regular basis for 30+ years to browse, buy from vendors and book a trip or two most years. This year I will just shop a Cabelas instead of going to the show . Even in the sporting world polotics rear their ugly head...darn shame.

# Posted By Big Daddy | 1/22/13 10:33 AM

Quote from the article...."On the eve of the 2013 show, the event’s organizer, Reed Exhibitions, decided to ban the display and sale of Modern Sporting Rifles and high-capacity magazines."

Doesn't Reed Exhibitions put on the SHOT show as well?.........

# Posted By jjas | 1/22/13 10:51 AM

Thank you Cabela's, Trijicon, Mike, the NRA and all the other companies and celebrities that have been brave enough to make a stand in support of our 2nd Amendment rights. In return, I hope everyone will go out and support these companies and celebrities by buying their products and watching their shows. I know I will!

# Posted By Cracker | 1/22/13 11:25 AM

I'm not sure our 2nd ammendment rights include military arms capable of spitting out 15+ shots in under a minute. Black rifles need to go. Period

# Posted By Rodger | 1/22/13 11:41 AM

Rodger, love ya man, but disagree...with our 2A rights under attack as never before, we need to stand up and stay united!

# Posted By hanback | 1/22/13 11:53 AM

sorry Roger, way off on this one. "Black" rifles, semi auto shotguns, handguns etc... are all the same, 1 trigger pull, 1 bullet. If an assault rifle was even used in the tragedy at Sandy Hook, and the magazines used were capable of carrying high capacities of ammo, I ask this.. Were those magazines legal when this scumbag used them? Could have the same been accomplished with a handgun and 10 magazines, all filled with 7 rounds a piece? Im all for protecting children, it's a huge issue that demands action. People hear "AR" and think of a fully automatic assault rifle, aka M-16 used years and years ago. It's tragic, no doubt about it, but when unstable people have agendas, the way they go about handling them is irrelevant. They will find a way if they choose and I'm glad to see vendors and celebs backing out. I also will not be in attendance this year.

# Posted By Hoytboy | 1/22/13 12:06 PM

I agree 100%, Mike. I have stopped shopping at Dick's because of their views on these rifles. They are not honoring their contract with the manufacturer. This country is out of control with attacking the Constitution..... unless it involves attacking the family unit or Christianity. I fully believe blood will be shed before obama is out of office. Don't think for a second that the military & law enforcement are onboard with confiscating thier fellow countrymen's guns. There will be a stand in the future on this issue...and it will not be a pretty time in our history. Not a sermon...just a thought!

# Posted By Curt in Va | 1/22/13 12:18 PM

I've made the 3 hour trek every year for at least 12 years. This year I will also not attend and I commend all of you TV folks and hunting industry companies that have pulled out. It's the right thing to do.
Reed Exhibitions is clearly out of line here and I can't believe that they forgot about who their customers / attendees are at this show. Reed is a UK based company. Need I say more.
I do feel bad for exhibitors that count on the show to book business for the upcoming year. My good buddy is a fishing charter boat captain in NJ and relies on the show for many bookings each year. I saw him last night
and he is upset about the prospect at losing business. The big companies like Cabela's will not feel it as bad as the little guy living from fishing trip to fishing trip.

# Posted By Paul-NJ | 1/22/13 12:29 PM

Sadly Curt in Va. is correct with the adiem that " Liberal Mayors and urban police" back Obama with pulling guns off the street not so much with rural LEOs.
didn't Obama stand in the Oval office and swear to defend and uphold the Constitution of the USA on Sunday and publiclly on Monday? He should have given full disclosure
and added " those that I agree with". Yes I believe blood will flow over gun control issues before Obama is out of office. it always happens someone with a puffed out chest will run up against another puffed out chest, words get replaced with hasty actions and pop pop pop

# Posted By Big Daddy | 1/22/13 12:56 PM

yes, i do feel for the small exhibitors and outfitters who attend the sport show and depend on it for much of their annual business...this flap was none
of their making...but the bigger issue here is our 2A rights, under atack as never before, we MUST stand tall together at this critical point
in our history!!

# Posted By hanback | 1/22/13 1:32 PM

The 2nd amendment wasn't giving us citizens the right to shoot deer. It was giving us the right to defend ourselves against a tyrannical government. And, I believe we are well on our way to exactly that.
If the government can have tactical weapons, then so can I. If they can have 30 round clips, then so can I.
Unfortunately, we have another 4 years of this 'BS' to deal with. Who knows what kind of shape our country will be in at the end of this.

I live within 45 minutes of Harrisburg. I have attended the show every year for the last 13 years. Not this year. If fact, every single hunter/fisherman i know is not attending.
If you don't stand for something, then you stand for nothing and will fall for anything. I hope every single exhibitor pulls out of this show in the next week and half.

# Posted By Danny | 1/22/13 2:11 PM

Perfectly said, Danny.

# Posted By Matt | 1/22/13 2:18 PM

Since Reed Exhibitions has decided to take this stand....AND....Reed Exhibitions puts on the SHOT show too.....I wonder if the companies
that are pulling out of the Easter Sports Show will do the same @ SHOT next year?

What do you think Mike?

# Posted By jjas | 1/22/13 2:32 PM

Been to the show one time- when I was single- but I am 650 miles away. What a show it WAS.
Roger, the 2nd Amend. was placed as #2 right behind the #1 Right to free speech. Important in that the shots heard "Around the World" were in response to the Redcoats coming to confiscate the militias arms to quash the insurrection. The Constitutions writers remembered that and ensured America's inhabitants were protected from such tyranny in the future. This sir includes today's black guns.

# Posted By Mack | 1/22/13 2:35 PM

I saw Cabelas post on Saturday and was not clear until now. I had a feeling it had something to do with NY's new laws regarding controlling guns. Thaks for clearing this up Mike. I agree with you and many of the comments here, we are headed for even darker times. Here in NY where I am, I am not even sure if I can order ammo on line based on the new law passed last week. This law did nothing except make it more dificult for law abiding citizens to comply. We need to hang together and fight this!

# Posted By Savage Redneck | 1/22/13 2:44 PM

The Bill of Rights is not a menu! We cannot pick & choose what we want! Kinda like the Ten Commandments!

# Posted By Curt in Va | 1/22/13 2:50 PM

From Danny: "If the government can have tactical weapons, then so can I. If the government can have 30 round clips, then so can I."

Never really thought of it like that, but it seems clear to me now. I also like Curt's comments above. Love the analogy about a menu, and also the Bible.

Very well stated men!

# Posted By Dean Weimer | 1/22/13 3:03 PM

I just spoke with my buddy. We have made the annual pilgrimage for 10 year. Now we are just going to Cabelas in Hamburg to spend some money there and support their decision. I must say, "I will give up my right to bear arms, when they pry my cold, dead fingers from around my AR".
I am in support of mandatory back ground checks, because this is a social issue, not a physical issue. And if you afraid of your back ground, maybe you shouldn't own a fire arm.

# Posted By Silverback | 1/22/13 3:21 PM

Jim, I know that the Reed/SHOT thing is a hot topic, I look for them to back pedal long before SHOT 2014, my opinion.

# Posted By hanback | 1/22/13 3:28 PM

Hanback quote "Jim, I know that the Reed/SHOT thing is a hot topic, I look for them to back pedal long before SHOT 2014, my opinion"

Will Reed "apologize" before SHOT 2014 or will they (Reed) hope people (and vendors) have a short memory?

# Posted By jjas | 1/22/13 4:41 PM

Their memory is only as short as we allow it to be.

# Posted By Big Daddy | 1/22/13 5:00 PM

I agree with what you and Cabela's are doing Mike. I hope other vendors back out as well.

Stock up on ammo, your guns are useless without it. The price will never be as cheap as it is today. Because times are tough, is why
you need ammo. Be prepared. "oo" buckshot is a good all around choice to stock up on, it's capable of taking down small and large game. Be
prepared to protect yourself and your family. Even if you have only a small budget for such things. A box of .22 rifle shells with around
550 rounds is less than $20.00 at Walmart. Be prepared.

# Posted By Cary Dion | 1/22/13 7:35 PM

Not surprised Roger is out in left field on this compared to everybody else again.
I back up Cabelas & Trijicons decision. I'm sorry but semi auto guns are not assault weapons/rifles. I won't be going to Dicks anytime soon either.

# Posted By Scott from MI | 1/23/13 10:14 AM

No worries Roger, as sportsman and gun owner, i also agree with you that weapons that are built and shoot military grage ammo should not be in the hands of most americans.

# Posted By Jason | 1/23/13 10:42 AM

I congratulate Cabelas and others for standing up for the 2nd amendment. Liberals will always hate the thought of an armed public. That's a given. What is more upsetting is gun owner's who willingly and actively support certain guns being taken from Americans. That is shameful.

The 2nd amendment does not protect our hunting rights. It does not protect guns based on their use in hunting. It protects guns to be used to resist a tyrannical government. Guns that would be used in a militia to fight against a national military. Military grade guns.

So, Roger and Jason, the 2nd amendment protects the guns you are against before it protects your hunting rifle. Based on what it says, the government would have a better basis for taking your rifle or shotgun than an AR.

Good luck trying to change the 2A to suit your needs.

# Posted By David in NC | 1/23/13 11:05 AM

rumors that Reed might make a "new" statement today...too late for them to reverse their stance??

# Posted By hanback | 1/23/13 11:25 AM

Even if they make a change, it doesn't matter. Their intent was to buckle to the left. That is, until it affected their pocketbook! They are merely making a financial decision...not a moral or ethical one!

# Posted By Curt in Va | 1/23/13 11:54 AM

200 celebrities and companies have boycotted the show....Will that make Reed buckle? Will vendors boycott SHOT next year if they don't?

# Posted By jjas | 1/23/13 2:04 PM

I live about 20 minutes from Harrisburg and attended the show multiple years in the past. However, I WILL NOT be going this year!
I'm proud of all the speakers, vendors, and supporters that are pulling out of this year's show.

# Posted By Josh | 1/23/13 8:03 PM

NOT Attending... No piece of paper from Albany or Washington will make my family more safer then they are today. Any infringement on the 2nd Ammendment will only make my family unsafe. As Sportsman we may not want or even like certain types of firearms however we must show solidarity to uphold the Consititution.

# Posted By fred | 1/23/13 10:10 PM

Seems to me that we, as sportsman and shooters, are a passive bunch. Well, until now that is......Looks like ALL of us have drawn that line in the sand. Bravo to all those that decided that doing the right thing is more important than the almighty dollar.

# Posted By Joe V | 1/23/13 10:50 PM

Roger and Jason,
They just released info that the Sandy Hook shooter used 4 handguns to do all the killings. He left the AR in the trunk of his car. In fact, he tried to buy an AR in the weeks prior and he didn't clear the background check.
Here's a link to a liberal media source admitting it: http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/50208495#50...
Isn't it ironic that they wait until after Obama signs his un-constitutional bills into law to release this info.
Knowing this information, do you guys feel that handguns should be banned along with the AR?

# Posted By Danny | 1/24/13 11:10 AM

Danny, I think that was "breaking news information" the day of, Every source out there says differently. I'm SURE the NRA would be all over that if that was the case. It is just incorrect (as much as I wish it was correct).

# Posted By Silverback | 1/24/13 11:54 AM

I own in excess of a dozen long guns (bolt and semi-auto) and a number of handguns. I hunt and trap/skeet/target shoot. I have no problem with military style guns like the AR's being banned along with high capacity clips.... I don't agree with the notion that we have to hold the line on our second amendment rights by insisting on the right to own assault rifles and high capacity clips.... I exclusively use a bolt action rifle for hunting and prefer over under and side by side shotguns over semis. I frankly hate to hear the staccato of rapid fire shots at (likely) running deer on opening morning and sometimes wonder what the heck folks are shooting at when they release these long shot volleys. I also feel that the NRA has over the course of the years been more than a little self serving or more likely serving the major gun manufacturers and not necessarily BEST representing the sports hunting brotherhood. Dropped my NRA membership years ago and joined Safari Club International which i feel better represents my interests. I am not suggesting that the limitations being proposed by the Obama administration would have prevented Newtown had they been in place..., likely not becasue madmen will always find a way, be it via firearms, pipe bombs or nitrogen fertilizer filled vehicles. Still, all in all, I think that many of the proposals make simple sense. I am surprised and a little disappointed that so many folks have taken the stance that boycotting a show such as we are discussing because of the exhibitors determination to limit what can or cannot be exhibited but we have our freedoms (which the NRA will swear they are working to uphold) and everyone has the right to exercise theirs...

# Posted By Wyatt Hunter | 1/24/13 11:57 AM

Well put, Wayne. I couldn't agree more.

# Posted By Rodger | 1/24/13 12:39 PM

Sorry, I meant Wyatt

# Posted By Rodger | 1/24/13 12:40 PM

The Show has been postponed, statement:

http://www.easternsportshow.com/

# Posted By hanback | 1/24/13 12:52 PM

Rodger & Wyatt, I appreciate your opinion to have the weapons the YOU own excluded due to the fact that you solely care about the sporting activities that YOU care about. However, the earth (as far as I know) does not revolve around you. 2A is NOT a sport hunting issue PERIOD. It is about the RIGHT to LEGALLY OWN weapons. As much as your little excursions into the field are important to YOU, I am very sure that their are MANY people who are out there shooting targets and competitions for a job and these weapons are not just long guns and shotguns. Take some time to think about other people passions over just your own. ITS NOT THE GUN BOYS.

# Posted By Silverback | 1/24/13 1:34 PM

Every person is entitled to their opinion. There will always be agruments for and against any and every topic. That is part of what makes the country great. In fact, I'm pretty sure that is what the 1st amendment is about "Freedom of Speech".
However, if I feel that if we let our government slowly chip away at the constitution, which exactly what they are doing here, then will our children and grand-children be afforded the same Freedom of Speech that we are?
If we don't take a stand against the small "chips" then what argument will we have when they totally repeal the Constitution? May God have mercy on us.

# Posted By Danny | 1/24/13 1:44 PM

Danny,

The video you linked to was posted right after the shooting. Matt Lauer was @ Newtown the day the video was recorded.

Since that time, the reports from law enforcement and the coroner both said that the primary weapon used was an AR-15. Lanza shot himself with a pistol. The weapon recovered from the trunk was a shotgun.

In anyone can point to updated material that contradicts what I've posted please do so.

# Posted By jjas | 1/24/13 4:34 PM

Hanback quote "The Show has been postponed"

It's tough to have a show when most of the vendors and celebrities pull out......

BTW (and I'm sure this won't make me popular on this site), I am sick of ARs being referred to as "modern sporting rifles". It's as if the
manufacturers and the shooting public are trying to "sanitize" these rifles by changing the name. It's an AR (from the company name, Armalite).

It's like saying "harvest" when you kill an animal. I don't see the point.

# Posted By jjas | 1/24/13 4:44 PM

Well said Silverback, this is why I keep coming back to this blog. Level headed common sense thinking.

# Posted By Savage Redneck | 1/24/13 5:17 PM

We should all be worried as sportsmen. 1st it start's as ban AR's, now it's semi auto's,bolt actoin,shotguns,pistols w/1 assault weapon feature,example: pistol grips,clips,thumb hole stocks. Who owns the old Ruger 10-22 a pistol grip shotgun for bear in Alaska while fly fishing, even a thumb hole stock muzzleloader will be an assault rifle. ARE YOU KIDDING ME.... As for Harrisburg and any other event that won't support our 2nd amendment right's, STAY AWAY.....

# Posted By northeasthunter | 1/24/13 10:22 PM

Great topic Mike. Glad to see that people can ban together and still make a stand for what they believe in.

# Posted By Tee-MD | 1/25/13 8:14 AM

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