Eastern Sport And Outdoor Show Postponed

ALTOONA, BLAIR COUNTY - Local gun and ammunition dealers are celebrating after it was announced the Eastern Sport and Outdoor Show would be postponed.

According to the website mynortheastoutdoors.com, more than 300 vendors including the NRA said they planned on boycotting the event after organizers announced assault rifles and extended ammunition clips would be banned.

"I had no idea until today that that many had cancelled which is great because it sends a message to people, don't mess with our guns," Mike McNeely of Allegheny Trade Company says.

McNeely has attended the show in the past, but says after the ban was announced, his customer's were outraged.

"Talking to several customers in the store once they had found out even in the beginning when the first couple pulled out they said they're not going. They wouldn't attend," McNeely says.

Reed Exhibitions released a statement on the show saying "In the current climate we felt the presence of MSR's would distract from the theme of hunting and fishing, disrupting the broader experience of our guests."

The statement went on to say "It has become very clear to us after speaking with our customers that the event could not be held because the atmosphere of this year's show would not be conducive to an event that is designed to provide family enjoyment."

Postponing the show also means a major economic hit for the Harrisburg area. According to the Harrisburg Visitors Bureau the Eastern Sport and Outdoor Show creates $44 million in revenue in each year.

To read the entire statement from Reed Exhibitions click here.