While the OP says he is from New England, the birth place of American freedom, it is also the incubator of the East Coast's anti-gun sentiment. Where the OP's conference is is really relevant to how he addresses his dilemma. By the description offered, the likelihood that his conference is in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, or Rhode Island is much more likely than the remaining states of New England. If the OP's conference is in either New York, Connecticut, or Massachusetts, I doubt that either state would drag their collective button to make him the poster villian synonymous with why guns need to be outlawed.

__________________
Judge control not gun control!