Weeks After Wisconsin and Colorado Massacres, George Zimmerman’s Lawyer, O’Mara, To Speak At Gun Rights Conference

Coming two months after the horrific Aurora massacre and seven months after Trayvon’s murder what about the potential public relations backlash?

[Publisher’s Commentary]

If you were on George Zimmerman’s  defense team, wouldn’t you want to stay away from people who celebrate gun possession at least until after your client’s trial given the fact that Zimmerman is regarded by many people as trigger-happy, reckless, and remorseless?

On the other hand, maybe you do want to associate with gun fanatics because Zimmerman is trigger-happy, reckless, and remorseless? Zimmerman’s lawyer Mark O’Mara is slated to speak at a Gun Rights conference in Orlando, FL., according to an invitation from the organizers. The conference comes seven months after the murder of Trayvon Martin and two months after the Aurora, CO., massacre.

Zimmerman, as the whole world now knows, is the one-man vigilante, who on Feb. 26, 2012, shot to death Trayvon Martin, an unarmed African American teenager after stalking him in Sanford, FL., even after police told him not to follow Martin. Zimmerman had called the Sanford Police Department to report Martin as a suspicious individual roaming around his gated neighborhood. Martin was actually visiting with his father who lived on the complex.

Remarkably, Zimmerman had shown no fear of the “suspect” Martin and pursued him: of course Zimmerman could not have known that Martin was armed.  But Zimmerman did know that at the end of the day, since he himself was armed, he could always use his own weapon. That’s precisely what happened on that ill-fated night for Martin; Zimmerman shot and killed him.
 
Now Zimmerman’s defense attorney O’Mara is a confirmed speaker at the 27th annual Gun Rights Policy Conference (GRPC), to be held September from 28 to 30, in,Orlando, FL., according to an invitation e-mailed to members of the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF)     by its founder, Alan M. Gottlieb who is a defender of Florida’s “stand your ground”  law.

In an earlier interview on Chris Matthews’ “Hardball” he had said “stand your ground” would not apply for Zimmerman who was a “pursuer” when he killed Martin. By inviting O’Mara, it’s not clear if he still maintains that position.

The Black Star News
obtained a copy of the invitation to the event.
 
Why would O’Mara want to speak at such a conference? Has he concluded that the best chance his client has for an acquittal on his murder case is to appeal to “gun rights” activists including elements on the right wing? Is O’Mara hoping that the majority of Sanford, FL., jurors on the Zimmerman trial will be gun rights advocates and that the GRPC conference offers a podium to ingratiate himself and his client towards them and towards gun groups around the country?

Clearly O’Mara is also hoping to boost donations to his client through Zimmerman’s website.

But what about the potential public relations backlash coming after the horrific July 20 Aurora, CO., massacre, where 12 people were killed and 58 wounded by James Egan Holmes?  We have seen many perverted defense strategies — and some have worked in winning acquittals– and this one by O’Mara ranks high up on the list.

Here’s how the Second Amendment Rights foundation’s website promotes the conference:

Come meet national gun rights leaders and your fellow grassroots activists at the 27th Annual Gun Rights Policy Conference (GRPC 2012) in Orlando, FL at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport hotel on September 28, 29, & 30, 2012. This is your once-a-year chance to network, get an insider’s look and plan pro-gun rights strategies for the coming year.

Past GRPCs have outlined victory plans and made public the latest firearms trends. They allow you a first-hand chance to hear movement leaders–and make your voice heard.

This year we’ll take a look at critical issues such as: city gun bans, “smart” guns, concealed carry, federal legislation, BATFE policies, legal actions, gun show regulation, state and local activity. We’ll also review the 2010 elections, discuss the 2012 Presidential race and analyze Right to Keep and Bear Arms court cases.

The full roster of GRPC 2012 speakers has not yet been set. Past speakers include: Alan M. Gottlieb, Joseph P. Tartaro, Eugene Volokh, Bob Barr, Alan Gura, Wayne LaPierre, John Lott, Sandy Froman, Massad Ayoob, Tom Gresham, G. Gordon Liddy, Michael Reagan, Larry Elder, Ken Hamblin, and many others.
 
The Black Star News called the Second Amendment Foundation today for comment; a phone number is provided on the voice mail for the organization’s media contact. A lady who answered the phone said she did not know whether O’Mara was a confirmed speaker when asked about the invitation letter from Gottlieb. She also claimed she didn’t know how to get a hold of Gottlieb. A phone message seeking comment left at the law offices of O’Mara, in Orlando, FL., today was not returned by publication time.

Below is the invitation in its entirety:
 
Dear Fellow Gun Rights Activist,
 
George Zimmerman’s criminal defense attorney Mark O’Mara in the Trayvon Martin case has just confirmed to speak at the Gun Rights Policy Conference!

I would like to personally invite you to our 27th annual Gun Rights Policy Conference (GRPC), which will be taking place September 28, 29, and 30, 2012 in Orlando, Florida at the Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport hotel.
 
With new battles over individual rights in the age of terrorism, attacks on our gun rights from the UN, a number of Second Amendment cases in the courts and an important upcoming election, your attendance is critical. The theme of Elect Liberty is most important as we set the pro-gun rights agenda for the year to come.

This year GRPC will be action-packed. With over 50 speakers hand-picked from the leadership of the Gun Rights Movement, the topics to be presented promise to have an impact that will help direct the path of our cause for years to come. Invited speakers this year include: myself, Joe Tartaro, Alan Gura, Otis McDonald, John Lott, Alan Korwin, Massad Ayoob, David Kopel, John Snyder, as well as staff from the Second Amendment Foundation, Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, National Rifle Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, KeepAndBearArms.com, and Gun Owners of America. A number of elected political leaders have been invited as well.

As in the past, the Second Amendment Foundation will not only pick up the tab for lunch and refreshments, but will also provide more than $125 worth of vital pro-gun rights materials to each attendee.

In addition to the luncheon and free materials, you will have the opportunity to chat with the speakers at the two evening  planned receptions.

This event is so important to our cause, that the SAF Board of Trustees has elected to help underwrite the entire cost of the event. Your cost to attend this event is absolutely free!

Because of the number of people who travel every year to attend this event, I have negotiated a special discount room rate for GRPC attendees. Reservations for the special discounted room rate of  $99 per night can be made by clicking here or by calling 1-888-421-1442 and telling them you are planning on attending the Gun Rights Policy Conference (GRPC) sponsored by the Second Amendment Foundation.

If you have any questions, please call the SAF office at (425) 454-7012 to register. You can also register online at our GRPC Registration & Information Page, or send an e-mail to [email protected], or fax us at 425-451-3959.
 
Sincerely yours,

Alan M. Gottlieb
Founder
Second Amendment Foundation

Constitution:
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state,
the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
 

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