Vendors Flee from Harrisburg Show Following Rifle, Magazine Prohibition
UPDATE 2: ESOS ‘Postponed’
As per the statement posted on the ESOS website, Reed Exhibitions has indefinitely ‘postponed’ the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, PA. The National Shooting Sports Foundation, owners of SHOT Show (also managed by Reed), have also released a statement calling the Reed/ESOS decision ‘unacceptable’ and stating that they are “considering all options regarding the management of future SHOT Shows.” Find the full statements and discussion in the GunLink Forums thread regarding this topic.
The “World’s Foremost Outfitter” is pulling out of the largest consumer hunting, fishing and outdoor show in North America due to a change in policies regarding certain types of firearms at the show. Cabela’s move started what is now turning into a landslide as more than 60 vendors have dropped out of the Eastern Sports and Outdoors Show in Harrisburg, PA.
ESS organizers, UK-based Reed Exhibitions (who also manage the NSSF SHOT Show), made a decision not to allow the display or sale of so-called “assault weapons” or “high capacity” magazines, sharing the following statement on the show website: Continue reading
BATFE to Accept Comments on Armor Piercing Ammo Through End of Year
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has posted a notification on their website soliciting comments regarding requests to exempt certain projectiles from regulation as “armor piercing ammunition.”
The posting states that ATF is “seeking public comments on specific projectiles or projectile cores which may be used in a handgun and which are constructed entirely from one or a combination of tungsten, alloys, steel, iron, brass, bronze, beryllium, copper, or depleted uranium, and whether these projectiles or projectile cores pose a threat to public safety and law enforcement, or are, ‘primarily intended to be used for sporting purposes” and therefore may be exempted from classification as “armor piercing ammunition.’” Continue reading
Costas Doubles Down on Anti-Gun Statements
By now, pretty much everyone has seen (or at least heard about) Bob Costas’ NFL Sunday Night Football gun control diatribe spouted as two families and countless friends mourned the murder/suicide involving Kansas City Chiefs’ Javon Belcher. While this may or may not qualify as a genuine “tragedy,” it is unfortunate that people like Costas take the “never let a tragedy go to waste” cliche to heart and use it as a means to push their own political agendas and viewpoints. It is also unfortunate that such an anti-gun viewpoint was pushed during prime time television on NBC Sports, one of the major sponsors of the upcoming NSSF Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trades (SHOT) Show.
For those of you who may not have seen or heard Costas’ anti-gun statements: Continue reading
NSSF Matches ATF Reward in NY, SC Firearms Theft Cases
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association for the firearms industry, is once again offering its resources in conjunction with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) to help bring criminals to justice in a pair of firearms thefts. NSSF has offered a reward of up to $5,000 – matching the reward offered by BATFE – for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the theft of firearms in New York and South Carolina.
The first theft involved the theft of 10 firearms during a November 1, 2012, burglary at the Guns and Gold Trading Post in North Charleston, SC. According to the ATF release, three individuals crashed their vehicle through the storefront before absconding with the firearms.
The second, presumably unrelated, incident occurred on November 24, when thieves made off with 62 firearms from Tom’s Guns and Ammo in Sodus, NY. The ATF release may be found here.
ATF and local law enforcement are investigating the thefts in both cases and are seeking information from the public that would lead to the resolution of these investigations.
The matching reward payment by NSSF will be granted following payment of the initial ATF reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the crime.
Any information regarding this burglary should be reported to the ATF hotline at 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867). The ATF hotline is toll-free, and all information will be treated confidentially. Callers will remain anonymous upon request.
About NSSF
The National Shooting Sports Foundation is the trade association for the firearms industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of more than 7,000 manufacturers, distributors, firearms retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations and publishers. For more information, log on to www.nssf.org.
Businesses Say “Thank You” with Veteran’s Day Specials
Military members are owed a debt of gratitude for the sacrifices they make in order to secure the rights and freedoms that many take for granted. Since 1919, November 11th has been the day to honor veterans. President Wilson noted that the day was to be “filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory,” referring to the signing of the armistice which ended WWI hostilities on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Since 1954, November 11th, formerly Armistice Day has been called Veteran’s Day and marks a day set aside to honor and celebrate the services rendered by all US military veterans.
As a way of showing gratitude to those who serve our country, many businesses offer special deals for veterans. Examples of some of these deals are below. Keep in mind that, although some of these businesses are nation-wide chains, not all locations may be participating. Be sure to check with your location to find out if they are participating, what type of proof of service they may require (military ID, uniform, DD214, etc.) and other terms (e.g. dine-in only). Continue reading
ATF Reminds FFLs to Be Prepared for Natural Disasters Like Hurricane Sandy
As they often do in times of particularly severe weather, the ATF has issued a press release reminding FFLs and FEL/Ps to prepare for events such as the impending Hurricane Sandy:
In preparation for Hurricane Sandy and other natural disasters, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) today urged federal firearms licensees (FFLs) and federal explosives licensees and permittees (FEL/Ps) to be prepared and protect their merchandise and facilities. ATF has prepared guidance, which is available online, regarding how to plan ahead before disasters strike.
For FFLs, an ATF brochure and video are available on ATF’s website with information regarding businesses that are affected by flooding or other such incidents. The brochure, “Disaster Preparedness for Federal Firearms Licensees,” (ATF publication 3317.7), is available at http://www.atf.gov/publications/download/p/atf-p-3317-7.pdf. The video, “Disaster Preparedness,” is listed under ATF’s Online Education Seminars at http://www.atf.gov/training/firearms/ffl-educational-seminars/.
FEL/Ps should review the brochure, “Voluntary Steps to Prepare for a Pending Natural Disaster,” (ATF Publication 5400.16, March 2011), which is available at http://www.atf.gov/publications/download/p/atf-p-5400-16.pdf.
FEL/Ps that have additional questions concerning preparedness are urged to contact their local ATF field office or the Explosives Industry Programs Branch at 202-648-7120.
FFLs with additional questions, should contact their local ATF field office or the ATF Firearms Industry Programs Branch at 202-648-7190.
For other useful information on planning for a natural disaster, please visit www.ready.gov. Further information about ATF is available at www.atf.gov.
