The outdoor industry is thicker than thieves and we proved it by shutting down the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show.
When Reed Exhibitions made the mistake of banning modern sporting rifles, otherwise known as ARs, from the show, which is the largest consumer sports show in the country, they shot themselves in the proverbial foot. I suppose the British-based company forgot what happened the last time their countrymen wanted to tread on our freedoms.
"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."
This statement was made after it was too late.