After a history of hosting gun shows, Metro has officially ceased agreements with Rob Heller, a St. Helens-based gun dealer, citing “consistent communication issues” and missing documentation as key reasons. This decision follows public scrutiny regarding the agency’s alignment with its progressive values, particularly after a series of troubling incidents, including the theft of firearms from a hotel parking lot associated with Heller’s events.
Although gun shows have provided a lucrative revenue stream—earning Metro around $20,000 per show—the Portland Expo Center faces financial hardships exacerbated by pandemic-related declines in tourism. Critics argue that relying on gun shows is incompatible with the community’s safety needs, raising larger questions about the appropriate balance between revenue generation and public safety.
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