A simple Google search of Zimmerman and it seems like no action of his ever goes unreported. Recent headlines include an announced but later cancelled boxing match with rapper DMX to assaulting his pregnant girlfriend.
In case you’ve forgotten, George Zimmerman is the 31-year-old American originally known for fatally shooting Trayvon Martin on February 26th, 2012 in Sanford, Florida. Once on trial, the prosecution argued that Zimmerman should be tried for second degree murder and manslaughter; the jury later acquitted him of all charges.
Georgie boy spent his Saturday at the New Orlando Gun Show taking pictures and signing autographs with customers and fans. New York Daily News reported that over the course of six hours, 20 people lined up to see Zimmerman in the rear office of The Arms Room gun store.
Originally, the gun show was supposed to be held at the Majestic on John Young Parkway, but organizers had to cancel the venue late Thursday after negative reactions to Zimmerman’s planned appearance, WESH reported.
“They told us they canceled for community pressure,” said organizer and dealer Mike Piwowarski.
“They were getting phone calls and backlash, and didn’t want that kind of person there.”
Angry at Majestic for cancelling the event, Piwowarski plans to sue for an estimated $300,000 in lost gun sales.
Piwowarski supported Zimmerman during and after the trial in the shooting death of Martin. Returning the favor, Zimmerman showed up and supported Piwowarski’s gun business.
Fox 35 asked Zimmerman if he thought that his appearance at the gun show could be viewed as antagonistic.
“I don’t worry about people that say it’s antagonistic,” he said. “To be honest with you, like I said, the importance was to support the people that supported me.”
“I’m willing to talk to everyone and try and answer their concerns or questions, and [have] them realize there’s no need to be angry.”
Zimmerman said that due to death threats, he still wears a bulletproof vest and that he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and is given mental health treatment.
Image via YouTube