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Rob Kaufhold's gut told him it would get "ugly" when the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show banned the presence of assault rifles and high-capacity magazine rounds. The explosiveness of the gun control issue, and the power of social media, he believed, would assure that.

His instincts were looking good Wednesday, as a growing list of vendors and celebrities announced they would boycott North America's largest outdoor show, which is set to begin Feb. 2 at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.

The owner of Lancaster Archery Supply said he quickly concluded outdoor enthusiasts would hold it against his business if he participated in the show. He said he further envisions an attendance drop that will cut into sales.

"I was looking at a lose-lose preposition," said Kaufhold, 51, whose business sells archery gear, not guns.

On Wednesday, a website promoting the boycott listed more than 200 vendors as having pulled out of the show. The show typically draws about 1,200 vendors.

As of late Wednesday afternoon, Reed Exhibitions, which runs the show, hadn't responded to repeated requests for comment on the situation.

Organizations publicly stating their intention to boycott included retail giant and show sponsor Cabela's, the NRA, the Chambersburg-based Sportsmens Liquidation and the Marysville-based Pennsylvania Taxidermist Association. Sportmens Liquidation said it had booked 130 booths.

Jamie Gray of Lebanon, the Olympic air rifle gold medalist, said on her Facebook page she will boycott the event.

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