I completely agree with Smith and Wesson's decision. It is great to see a company that will stand up for what they believe in. (much like Hobby Lobby) You will continue to get my support in the way of purchasing your products.

I am proud to own these firearms of these great companys
This is really grown fast love it
Thanks Smith & Wesson.

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D.

[email protected]

From the PennLive.com article:

"However, Mark Finnegan, owner of Shamrock Holsters of Craig, Colo., said the boycott won't stop him from attending the show.

He further said he knows many venders from the western United States who plan to attend. “Everybody I know is coming,” he said."

I wonder who he thinks will be there to buy his holsters?

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Dave

Gun owners tend to have long memories. This will be remembered.

Just another reason to like S&W - -company and products - -.

This is a huge show, do you want to punish the guy that sells beef jerky, or hats, or boats or RVs without a trial? Many of the people who signed up for one or two hundred square feet of booth have extended themselves to be there. They aren't even thinking about hunting or guns.

To cheer yourself up, look down the list of those who have withdrawn and notice the overwhelming support of the archery, outfitter, game calls and other shooting sports people. This is as substantial showing of support for the second amendment and if we can hold the high ground there will be more who support the issue than there will be if we arbitrarily "punish" without knowing a bit more about the rationale applied to their decision to remain with the show.

My reaction was much like yours until I counted to 10 and looked over the list.

Mr. Wheel this guys is a businessman trying to make a buck. Would I buy a holster from him before this event, no. Never heard of his business. Would I buy a holster from him after knowing he willing went to an anti 2nd amendment "show", no. What has a small time operator got to lose? Don't get me wrong I think this is the greatest thing I have seen from the gun owners ever. This shows the unity of thousands of gun owners that are voicing their opinions to the manufactures and distributors of the hobbies they enjoy. This is butt kicking and we hope the folks in washington take notice. Don't screw with us. But it goes back to the fact, this guy is just trying to make a living. Should have just kept his mouth shout and we might have purchased from him in the future.

There is an alternative "virtual show" being put together for the vendors who have pulled out for Feb 2. Also, this story has now been covered by Breitbart. The world is watching. Here is a link to the virtual show...My Northeast Classifieds | Stand With Our Vendors - ESOS Boycott Virtual Sports ShowMy Northeast Classifieds

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NRA Cert. Inst. RSO

Glad to see many of the non-firearms companies boycotting also. I was very pleased to see Cold Steel on the boycott list as well as a number of other knife makers. Think I'll be buying Safemakers for each member of the family just to spread some appreciation!

This is one HUGE opportunity for us to be heard!! It's not often that we get the chance.

I would suggest contacting ALL of the vendors that pulled out and email your thanks.

They are supporting us. The least we can do is express our thanks. Don't be lazy!! Do it!! I AM..........

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

I don't see Ted Nugent on the boycott list.

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Life Is A Gift. Defend it!

Dick's sporting goods is not on the boycott list. Guess that's not too surprising considering the **** they pulled recently (not delivering AR's that had been sold).

I understand your point. I guess what bothered me is that this isn't some guy selling jerky or golf gear he is someone who earns his living because we have the second amendment. Not only is he going, but he gave the media a quote they could use to encourage people to attend the show.

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Dave

Fantastic for S+W and Ruger!!! Lets put some pressure on the people who gladly take our $$$$$ but have no support for 2A. I'm not a big movie person but have chosen not to pay attention to anything from the Hollywood anti 2A hypocrites.

Haven't been to a movie in years. From what I've seen on TV, I haven't missed anything either....

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Semper Fi

Glad to hear it Smitty!

I too agree, this is a great way for us decent hard working folks(who happen to own firearms)to send a message. The message to the companies who chose to pull out of the show: Thank you, we will continue to support you! The message for the the show supporters: Thank you for revieling your true colors, we will no longer bother you with our business! I know there are at least two sides to every issue...this is mine! Thanks.

The only leverage available is to withdraw enough support from the show, that it nears collapse.

THEN and only then, will the company putting on the show change its position.

Economic pressure is used all the time, and it's a powerful force in changing wrong-headed decision making.

We just got over an NHL strike. Nobody cared about the ancillary damage to small vendors, etc. They struck over issues that only mattered to two different groups of rich people.

At least in this case, there's a critical PRINCIPLE at the core of the action.

From there facebook page

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.

And confirmed by their website:

Home - Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show

Note how they tried to make it not their fault.

I guess I can't take my AR15 with me for coyote hunting anymore.....

Here's NSSF's statement - 1-2-3 Applause (all while Feinstein is introducing her bill - that's probably another post...)

NSSF Statement on the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show | NSSF Blog

NSSF Statement on the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show
January 24, 2013 By nssfnews No Comments


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We have just learned that Reed Exhibitions has decided to postpone the 2013 Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show.

In the days following Reed Exhibitions’ announcement that modern sporting rifles would be prohibited from the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show, the leadership of the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has been in intense, frank discussions with Reed Exhibitions management in an effort to reverse this unacceptable decision. These discussions reached an impasse.

NSSF is in no way affiliated with, nor does it participate in or exhibit at this show in any way. Reed Exhibitions does, however, manage the NSSF-owned SHOT Show (though Reed manages the SHOT Show, all SHOT Show decisions, policies and actions are made at NSSF’s direction).

Because of Reed’s recent actions, NSSF is considering all options regarding the management of future SHOT Shows.

Someone finally crunched the numbers and saw a major income loss and postponed. I am just surprised they couldn't see the impending backlash and vendor pull out before it got this far.
I am interested on how they intend to spin this and not look like fools.

I wonder if monies paid out by non boycotting vendors will be refunded as THE promoters canceled the show. I doubt they will want to refund to the people/outfits that did the boycott.

Hopefully certain other groups/politicians will see this and wise up!

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

Bravo!

Yahoooo!

Well done - to ALL who applied pressure to achieve this result!

http://washingtonexaminer.com/nra-bo...9#.UQFjJvLc9gi

Reed Exhibitions' explanation as to why the show is being postponed is nearly as insulting as their original decision to ban AR's from the show.

Read it a couple of times.

Or is it just me?

Good!
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

Funny...NSSF released a statement on Jan 18th urging its members to still participate in the Harrisburg show. Guess the wind direction has changed.

I resigned my membership on Jan 22nd.

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Pace

I hope all will pull OUT because it is ran by the Brits!! They do not need to be making money from gun sales when they have a no gun shows like we do!

Bravo! Maybe some the anti's will get the message.

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Dick

I think the critical issue is WHEN did ESOS release the announcement that ARs were not allowed?
If it was after Jan 18th, NSSF has no blemish.

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Delivers quite the message, doesn't it?

In their annoucement postponing the show, Reed takes a whack at Second Amendment Supporters as the root cause:

In other words, the modern sporting rifle (MSR) crowd ruined it for everyone else. Reed, once again, tries to drive a wedge directly into the heart of the firearms comminity by trying to create a split between hunters and MSR owners.

Note also that they have indicated that when they show does take place, Reed says it will "focus on the themse it celebrates". Meaning, no MSR's.

As far as their earlier statements that there was no outside pressure on Reed to exclude MSR's, then just why did they deem fit to add that the show will take place "when the national debate clarifies". I thought their decision was made without regard to any national debate or other influence.

Not only did Reed not get the message, they are telling us they are not going to change their ways.

I don’t agree with the antis but they won. They got a slam dunk too.

Not only are ARs not being displayed….. nothing is being displayed.

Hopefully someone will organize a show to replace what was canceled.

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John

Email incoming.

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Pace

I think it would be a great idea to swamp the e-mail inbox of Reed Exhibitions with letters of support for all the companies that pulled out of the show and to let them know you won't be attending.

The show has been cancelled!!

Their website has an announcement that says the show has been postponed.

They still don't understand why folks decided to boycott or backout of the show. It's obvious from their statement that they don't believe 'MSRs' are used for sport.

Fools for sure still.

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Pete.

Confirmed...just heard it on the news. The PEOPLE have spoken.

Interesting perspective....you believe that when the firearms community stands together to oppose politically correct decisions by anti 2a folks it is a win for the antis? So, according to the way you are currently thinking, we all just stop making noise and sit down?

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Even older, even crankier....

I also disagree.
Yes, we lost a major show.
That is the price of showing promoters they better stand WITH the 2A instead of worrying about being PC.
That, to me, is a price well paid.
I do not think we will see another promoter take the PC route.

Togetherness- it's what keeps DC at bay!
Group Hug time.

JOIN the NRA!

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Regards,
Lee Jarrett

Actions have consequences!
We just have to hope the wigs at Reed (and the other anti 2A's) will realize the error in their ways.

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paws for friendship

What other shows does Reed manage? I'm not familiar with them. The trade show industry should fill the gap quite soon I expect.

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... fortunate son...

The one thing that surprised me was that they are a multi national business based in the UK. Rather Ironic and perhaps not so surprising after all that such a fatal mistake was made.

Bravo!! I support S&W on this decision.

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Not a hunter, just a shooter.

You put way too much thought into how you think I'm thinking.

The antis got what they wanted this time.

That's it.

I hope that a group steps up and puts on a bigger and better show.

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John

New Yorkistan - priceless

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Semper Fi

I would hope that "REED" is forever REDUCED here in the states to being

A NON-PROMOTER OF FIREARMS & SPORTING EVENTS.

Lots of people are Promoters.

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NRA Pistol/Rifle Inst. RSO

I would be more than happy to reinstate and manage the show for them, but allowing the vendors/participants to display anything that is legal.

This was a tragedy on more than one level, but a tremendous victory for the gun world. Finally we see a concerted effort to change for the good.

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Freedom isn't free.

Here's a pretty good rundown on that topic:

NSSF Sticks by Expo Company’s Decision to Ban “Modern Sporting Rifles” | Shall Not Be Questioned