Features

Santa Ana gun show bans author of how-to book on germ warfare

The Associated Press
Monday November 26, 2001

SANTA ANA – A Nebraska man who travels around to gun shows trying to sell his how-to book on germ warfare was banned from an exhibit this weekend at the Orange County Fairgrounds. 

Bob Templeton, owner of the Crossroads of the West Gun Show, said he was surprised Timothy W. Tobiason was trying to sell his self-published book “Advanced Biological Weapons Design and Manufacture” at the shows. 

The 250-page book, which includes a recipe for anthrax, was being sold under the table at a Crossroads show in Salt Lake City last weekend, Templeton said, adding that he won’t be allowed any of his future exhibits. 

“He is clearly a very troubled person,” Templeton said. “We don’t tolerate any literature that’s racist or advocates the violent overthrow of the government.” 

Tobiason, a 45-year-old agricultural-chemicals entrepreneur, said he sells about 2,000 copies of his book a year and moves from gun show to gun show across America. 

Crossroads shows are held almost every weekend and move among California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and Colorado.