Screen Shot 2013-01-24 at 2.52.05 PM
Hunting buddies, lunkheads and gun advocates Trent Cole and Jason Babin are affecting the local convention circuit this offseason.

Yeah no seriously.

First up, Cole: His stated boycotting of the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show, scheduled for early February in Harrisburg, for their decision to ban assault rifle sales at the event in the wake of the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut was just one of many protests forcing the cancellation of the show all together, a decision that is getting some international attention:

Screen Shot 2013-01-24 at 2.53.39 PM

On Sunday, Cole tweeted this urgent announcement:

Screen Shot 2013-01-24 at 2.43.12 PM

He was supposed to sign autographs at the show as a part of a promotional effort for his Pursuit Channel TV show, Blitz TV. Cool.

But, like his hunting buddy Babin, Cole is gun nut and didn’t appreciate show organizers’ decision to ban the sale of assault rifles (those assholes!). And Cole, apparently, was one of many who took issue with that decision, leading to this statement from Reed Exhibitions, the show’s organizers:

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.

It is unfortunate that in the current emotionally charged atmosphere this celebratory event has become overshadowed by a decision that directly affected a small percentage of more than 1,000 exhibits showcasing products and services for those interested in hunting and fishing.

 

Meanwhile, over at the Philadelphia Auto Show, Babin, who received word that he was traded to Jacksonville whilst in Cole's garage, continues to have a presence in the city. His car, a Camaro SS modified by Car Effex, is on display for all to see: 

Screen Shot 2013-01-24 at 2.56.12 PMvia our friends (@PhansofPhilly) and (@S_squared86)

Rumor has it the car gets off the line well, but never gets to where it’s going, spinning and gyrating randomly in-between.

This isn’t the first of Babin’s cars to make the site. Last year, his Jeep was for sale on Craigslist.