A large hunting and fishing show in Pennsylvania was postponed indefinitely Thursday, amid controversy over organizers' decision to ban the sale or display of "modern sporting rifles" -- often referred to as assault rifles.

The Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, Pa., was scheduled for Feb. 2-10. But in a statement on its website Thursday, Reed Exhibitions President for the Americas Chet Burchett said "the atmosphere of this year’s show would not be conducive to an event that is designed to provide family enjoyment."

Some customers and vendors became angered that the show decided to ban assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines. According to The Associated Press, online listings indicated that more than 200 sellers had pulled out of the show.

Guns shows across America are under scrutiny after last month's shooting rampage at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn. Twenty children and six adult staffers were killed during the Dec. 14 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Modern sporting rifles are semiautomatic weapons that include the Bushmaster XM-15 used by the Newtown gunman and other such guns similar to the Colt AR-15. These weapons are often referred to as ARs or assault weapons. This type of rifle is among the most popular firearms in America.

Burchett said the ban would have only directly affected "a small percentage" of the show's more than 1,000 exhibits. He said the move was simply "a product decision" that event organizers have to make.

"In the current climate, we felt that the presence of MSRs (modern sporting rifles) would distract from the theme of hunting and fishing, disrupting the broader experience of our guests," Burchett said.

Ticket-buyers to the show have been promised refunds, the AP reported. Burchett said that "as the national debate clarifies," they will consider rescheduling the event.

But the National Shooting Sports Foundation slammed the postponement, calling the decision "unacceptable." Reed Exhibitions managed a recent Las Vegas gun show for the foundation, an industry trade association, and the NSSF said in a statement on its website that it was reconsidering the management of future shows. The NSSF is based in Newtown.  

The AP reported earlier this month that several gun shows near Newtown were called off or the venues had backed out, including in White Plains, N.Y., and Danbury, Conn. Last Saturday, five people were wounded in accidents at three separate gun shows in North Carolina, Ohio and Indiana.

The Newtown tragedy sparked a new debate over gun control and pushed legislators, including President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, to pursue proposals to reduce violence.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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A U.S. flag blows in the wind amid the damage caused by a tornado in Harrisburg, Illinois, March 1, 2012.

Federal and local officials are denouncing a decision by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to deny funding to five Illinois counties hit by tornadoes and severe storms in late February and early March.

FEMA issued its decision on the major disaster declaration for individual assistance for Gallatin Randolph, Saline, Union and Williamson counties in a letter dated March 10 to Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn. The state's request, covering the period of Feb. 29 to March 3, also included hazard mitigation for all of its counties.

"Based on our review of all of the information available, it has been determined that the damage was not of such severity and magnitude as to be beyond the capabilities of the State, affected local governments, and voluntary agencies. Accordingly, we have determined that supplemental Federal assistance is not necessary," according to the letter, of which msnbc.com obtained a copy. "Therefore, I must inform you that your request for a major disaster declaration is denied."

In the community of Harrisburg, the 170-mph winds of the Feb. 29 twister damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes and killed seven people, Mayor Eric Gregg told the Chicago Tribune.

"I want to know how this decision was reached and why," Gregg told the newspaper, noting Gregg the estimated damage to his community was in the "tens of millions." "Because frankly, I don't understand it."

In a statement to msnbc.com late Monday, FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate said his agency stands ready to help during an emergency but FEMA was "not always the only option."

“In recent weeks, severe storms and tornadoes impacted the Midwest and South. Since then, FEMA has worked closely with the many affected states," including Illinois and its local governments to assess the damage, he said. Support from volunteer and faith-based groups, and the private sector, combined with aid available from the state and municipalities "demonstrates that the impact of the event remains within the capabilities of the State of Illinois and its affected local governments."

FEMA staff were on location to support preliminary damage assessments and would work with the state throughout its recovery.

"Every disaster is different, with unique circumstances, and in some cases a Governor’s request might not be approved," Fugate said. "FEMA’s decision means that the governor can proceed to work with other federal agencies through their own authorities."

The state's two U.S. Senators, Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), have called for a meeting of Illinois' congressional delegation and Fugate to discuss an appeal -- which they have 30 days to make.

Read NBCChicago.com's coverage of this story

“This decision by FEMA is unacceptable and out of touch with the reality that residents of Harrisburg, Ridgway and the surrounding areas are facing as the storm clean-up continues,” they said in a joint statement. “The damage from the storms in Southern Illinois is among the worst our state has seen in recent years. Federal funding is greatly needed to help residents and families rebuild and we will continue working to see that these communities are made whole again.”

Illinois' lawmakers have sent a letter to President Barack Obama asking him to issue a major declaration for the state and to provide relief for the counties struck by the severe weather that has left local governments, charitable groups and evacuees "taking on the initial costs of the disasters," the senators' statement said.

Such a declaration would allow cities and counties to apply for federal reimbursements to help pay for storm damage repairs.

Obama recently declared a disaster for Indiana, freeing up federal funding for those affected by the weather in six counties, while in Kentucky, 16 counties have been designated for disaster aid, according to FEMA.

Quinn said he was "extremely disappointed" with the decision and supports lawmakers' efforts encouraging FEMA to reconsider, NBC Chicago.com said.

Msnbc.com news services contributed to this report.

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