The Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show should have kicked off this weekend, but the show was cancelled. Reed Exhibitions organizes the show and decided to ban the sale of assault-style rifles and high-capacity magazines. This created a huge uproar, causing vendors and others to boycott the show which ultimately led to the cancellation of it. The cancellation sent people looking elsewhere.
Saturday and Sunday, the Lancaster Muzzle Loading Rifle Association saw record crowds at its 54th annual gun show at the Farm & Home Center on Arcadia Road. “I think that’s part of the reason people are coming here. I think it’s a shame that is has been cancelled. We are in a lot of turmoil at this time and that’s very sad,” said gun maker Paul Allison.
“Without having the outdoor show, with them being able to go there and possibly being able to make their purchases there, now they’re just taking the time to go to the local gun shops and that kind of stuff, and venues like this,” said customer James Wess.
“This show has always been a good show but I do think our attendance spiked just because of that,” said ammunition collector Joe Brancato.