Worst Case Scenario: The Trayvon Martin Case

[vantec08]

http://www.handgunsmag.com/2012/05/04/worst-case-scenario-the-trayvon-martin-case/

check the poll on SYG -- 74% NO

[Bert Gamble]

That is a good report.

I have some reservations about how Zimmerman acted before the attack started, but once it did, I think he was within his rights to shoot.

I think that if Zimmerman had acted a bit more responsibly before the attack, both would still be alive today.

Before you all start attacking me, please think about it.

Don't you agree that once you are a CCW holder and carrying a gun, you are obligated to avoid circumstances where you might need to use it, if at all possible?

Don't you also agree that getting out of his car and following someone he suspects is committing criminal behavior is the polar opposite of avoiding those circumstances?

In my opinion, Zimmerman felt empowered to follow this thug because he was carrying a weapon. He decided to play cop. I understand how he could fall into that trap.

I hope to someday be fortunate enough to have a CCW in my home state so I constantly practice avoiding conflicts, be it on the road when someone cuts me off, at the movies when people are talking to the screen, or anywhere else that emotions can take over. Even before this happened, I was preparing myself for not letting it happen to me.

If I was Zimmerman, I would have stayed in my car and observed and reported to the best of my ability. I would not have followed Martin for a suspected property crime.

Zimmerman should have known better.
If it isn't worth dying for, it isn't worth shooting for. Property is not worth dying for.

[vantec08]

Agree. Zimm had the responsibility that goes with CCW. That being said, many neighborhoods in the nation are under attack by criminality, and as the economy continues to deteriorate - - -- you take it from there.

[Nodda Duma]

Zimmerman did exactly what one would expect of a neighborhood watch captain.

[Quiet]

If you haven't done so, read this suprisingly well balanced news article by Reuters about George Zimmerman.
Reuters (04-25-11) George Zimmerman: Prelude to a Shooting

[vantec08]

If you haven't done so, read this suprisingly well balanced news article by Reuters about George Zimmerman.
Reuters (04-25-11) George Zimmerman: Prelude to a Shooting

good read

[chiselchst]

If you haven't done so, read this suprisingly well balanced news article by Reuters about George Zimmerman.
Reuters (04-25-11) George Zimmerman: Prelude to a Shooting

Wow, very good read. I watch/read a lot of news and have tried to follow the Zimmerman case, and there were many items in that article I had never seen! It was "actual journalism", which seems to be extremely rare these days. Great article, IMHO. Not pro anything - just reporting information.

[Ratboy]

If you haven't done so, read this suprisingly well balanced news article by Reuters about George Zimmerman.
Reuters (04-25-11) George Zimmerman: Prelude to a Shooting

also, if I remember correctly, wasn't he out of his car trying to get an address/location to let the police know exactly where to look?

[SWalt]

The article goes along with everything I've been taught concerning having a CCW. As the article says, no one knows what exactly happened, but we all can see how Zimmermans life is now. If you do carry it is something you need to consider. Its no Hollywood production, it is your life and the life of the one you shoot. Once you shoot, you can not take it back so you better be aware of all its consequences. Its very serious business and you can expect every little facet of your life being examined and examined again and again. SYG or the Castle Doctrine are GOOD laws and you should be released from criminal and civil liability when you righteously defend your life or anothers. As the saying goes "I'd rather be judged by 12 then carried by 6", you better hope the 12 see everything the same way as you did.

[kcstott]

That is a good report.

I have some reservations about how Zimmerman acted before the attack started, but once it did, I think he was within his rights to shoot.

I think that if Zimmerman had acted a bit more responsibly before the attack, both would still be alive today.

Before you all start attacking me, please think about it.

Don't you agree that once you are a CCW holder and carrying a gun, you are obligated to avoid circumstances where you might need to use it, if at all possible?

Don't you also agree that getting out of his car and following someone he suspects is committing criminal behavior is the polar opposite of avoiding those circumstances?

In my opinion, Zimmerman felt empowered to follow this thug because he was carrying a weapon. He decided to play cop. I understand how he could fall into that trap.

I hope to someday be fortunate enough to have a CCW in my home state so I constantly practice avoiding conflicts, be it on the road when someone cuts me off, at the movies when people are talking to the screen, or anywhere else that emotions can take over. Even before this happened, I was preparing myself for not letting it happen to me.

If I was Zimmerman, I would have stayed in my car and observed and reported to the best of my ability. I would not have followed Martin for a suspected property crime.

Zimmerman should have known better.
If it isn't worth dying for, it isn't worth shooting for. Property is not worth dying for.

I agree with most of which you say but the Avoidance of situations that might require you to use your weapon. Is to vague a statement.
Just as a required retreat attempt is also to vague right along with SYG.

The problem is and I firmly believe this. Ever CCW holder needs to be properly trained and disciplined in the use of firearms specifically for SELF DEFENSE. And IU don't mean some BS week long course taught by some has been useless POS for an instructor. It should be a few weeks long and be focused solely on Defense and how self perceived defense can actually be offensive tactics. The issue is that some people are the type that as soon as the weapon in legally possessed it is now an OFFENSIVE weapon not a defensive weapon which is the intent of the CCW law.

If the facts of the case are as stated in the media (I know it's a stretch) that Zimmerman pursued this individual then confronted him. It comes down to this in my book. Who picked the fight. If Zimmerman provoked this kids actions Zimmerman looses his right to self defense as he is now the aggressor even if he didn't throw the first punch.
Now if it's true that Zimmerman was on his way back to his car and was attacked then the Kid is the aggressor and Zimmerman was completely within his rights to self defense.

All the laws in the world don't mean a thing. All that is needed is one law for the use of firearms. Was the firearm used in an act of unprovoked selfdefense and would a reasonable person do the same thing in the same situation.

That also goes for my belief on Gun control. 18 for long guns 21 for hand guns, Criminals are not allowed to possess firearms.
You can define criminal how you want. I feel our current definition of prohibited person pretty much covers it.
Those are the only gun laws we need.

[SWalt]

If you haven't done so, read this suprisingly well balanced news article by Reuters about George Zimmerman.
Reuters (04-25-11) George Zimmerman: Prelude to a Shooting

Good article! Its the same one I read before but has info about him actually being a Neighborhood Watch Captain and time line. Hate when editors edit out pertinent info!

[kcstott]

The article goes along with everything I've been taught concerning having a CCW. As the article says, no one knows what exactly happened, but we all can see how Zimmermans life is now. If you do carry it is something you need to consider. Its no Hollywood production, it is your life and the life of the one you shoot. Once you shoot, you can not take it back so you better be aware of all its consequences. Its very serious business and you can expect every little facet of your life being examined and examined again and again. SYG or the Castle Doctrine are GOOD laws and you should be released from criminal and civil liability when you righteously defend your life or anothers. As the saying goes "I'd rather be judged by 12 then carried by 6", you better hope the 12 see everything the same way as you did.

+1

[Californio]

Finally some real Journalism, rather than a Political Agenda.

[email]

Require a "few weeks" long course to exercise your right to self defense?

Yikes.

[44fred]

I agree with most of which you say but the Avoidance of situations that might require you to use your weapon. Is to vague a statement.
Just as a required retreat attempt is also to vague right along with SYG.

The problem is and I firmly believe this. Ever CCW holder needs to be properly trained and disciplined in the use of firearms specifically for SELF DEFENSE. And IU don't mean some BS week long course taught by some has been useless POS for an instructor. It should be a few weeks long and be focused solely on Defense and how self perceived defense can actually be offensive tactics. The issue is that some people are the type that as soon as the weapon in legally possessed it is now an OFFENSIVE weapon not a defensive weapon which is the intent of the CCW law.

If the facts of the case are as stated in the media (I know it's a stretch) that Zimmerman pursued this individual then confronted him. It comes down to this in my book. Who picked the fight. If Zimmerman provoked this kids actions Zimmerman looses his right to self defense as he is now the aggressor even if he didn't throw the first punch.
Now if it's true that Zimmerman was on his way back to his car and was attacked then the Kid is the aggressor and Zimmerman was completely within his rights to self defense.

All the laws in the world don't mean a thing. All that is needed is one law for the use of firearms. Was the firearm used in an act of unprovoked selfdefense and would a reasonable person do the same thing in the same situation.

That also goes for my belief on Gun control. 18 for long guns 21 for hand guns, Criminals are not allowed to possess firearms.
You can define criminal how you want. I feel our current definition of prohibited person pretty much covers it.
Those are the only gun laws we need.

Not a second amendment proponent are you. The recommendations you speak of would eliminate most of the general population from obtaining a CCW. Mandatory classes that go on for weeks? Who would have the time? Once you obtain your permit, it is your responsibility to use it wisely. Cops are trained for more than "weeks" and blow it on a regular basis. CCW holders are the cream of the crop citizens, just the way I like it.

The number of CCW holders in this country is staggering, probably far more than police. Very few incidents like The Zimmerman case on the books. Don't fall for taking the rights away from CCW holders (it will come up) for one possible screw up. Take away all guns from the police due to many, many unjustified shootings???

Rant over