The Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, which in the early 1950s helped to launch what today is the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show, is the latest exhibitor to threaten to pull out of the 2013 show.
More than 50 exhibitors have announced that they will pull of out the Feb. 2-10 show at the State Farm Complex or have threatened to do so unless show organizer Reed Exhibitions reverses its ban on the display and sale of assault weapons at the show.
“The show was actually the brainchild of the federation, who started and ran it themselves, for several years, until it became too large for them to handle. They turned it over to Reed Exhibitions in 1955,” explained Melody Zullinger Schell, former executive director of and now consultant to the federation.
In addition to being one of the founders of the show, the federation has had an annual, if diminishing, presence at every show.
“Were greatly disappointed and dismayed when we heard the show’s promoters had decided to ban the display selling of tactical firearms and accessories at this year’s show,” she said.
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Nathan Reider, of York, concentrates on his shot during an archery competition at the 2011 Eastern Sports and Outdoors Show.
“Upon hearing of this decision, we worked closely with the (National Rifle Association) and industry representatives, who were in discussions with Reed’s upper management. We hoped that through continued discussions, we would be able to convince them to reverse their position.”
She added, “If Reed reverses their position, PFSC will be there.”
Reed Exhibition officials could not be reached for comment Monday and early Tuesday.
The federation had planned to sell raffle tickets for a drawing for an assault rifle at the show.
Schell commented, “It is both unfortunate and courageous that many participants, who had already made major financial commitments to the event, have decided to pull out of the show, and many sportsmen have decided to forgo attendance this year to make a statement. We respect and applaud those decisions.
“We must all stand together for the protection of our Second Amendment rights.”