Prepper community gathers for expo in Prescott

Over 90 vendors showcase items at the Arizona Survivalist/Prepper Expo. (Photo by Jim Tuttle/News21)

By Jim Tuttle and Alex Lancial

More than 90 vendors at Saturday’s Arizona Survivalist / Prepper Expo in Prescott, Ariz. were offering everything from medical supplies, camping equipment, knives, swords, military tactical gear and bomb shelters.

According to the Expo’s website, the event’s motto is, “We won’t rest until every Arizona Citizen is prepared and ready for any natural, man-made or economic disaster.” In an essay on the site, event organizer Lance Baker describes members of the “prepper” community as living theirs lives “day-to-day” while also “always be(ing) prepared for anything.”

Yavapai County Sheriff Scott Mascher speaks about second amendment rights. (Photo by Jim Tuttle/News21)

Guns and ammunition were not being offered for sale, but many of the vendors were offering gun accessories and several of the speakers focused on the Second Amendment and the importance of an armed populace.

Cope Reynolds, operations manager at Shots Ranch in Arizona, shows a sign that he posted on his gun shop after the 2012 election. (Photo by Jim Tuttle/News21)

Cope Reynolds, who identified himself as the operations manager of a firearms training facility and an Arizona-based militia member, gave a talk titled, “Liberty’s Teeth.” He said every American citizen has the responsibility to carry a gun and be prepared to use it at all times.

Alex Lancial is an Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation News21 Fellow.