Take his guns away, already: Why the George Zimmermans are so protected

[n2doc]

BY KATIE MCDONOUGH

Exactly what happened on Monday between George Zimmerman and his estranged wife, Shellie, in Lake Mary, Fla., is still in doubt — but seeing the words “Zimmerman,” “gun” and “altercation” strung together once again has turned Zimmerman into a lightning rod for questions regarding gun violence and domestic abuse in the United States.

Based on the initial report, Shellie called the police that day claiming Zimmerman, brandishing his firearm, was threatening her, daring her to “step closer” to him. “I don’t know what he’s capable of. I’m really, really scared,” she told the emergency dispatcher. He violently destroyed her iPad, she said, allegedly cutting through the device with his pocketknife. He also apparently came to blows with her father, and allegedly exhibited the complete lack of self-control and dangerously poor judgment for which the public has come to know him.

But because Shellie changed her story only hours later — saying she never saw a firearm, and that she wouldn’t press charges — there was no domestic violence report filed. Absent that, the police didn’t pursue a warrant to search Zimmerman’s vehicle for the gun he may or may not have used to threaten Shellie.

Whether or not Zimmerman had a gun on him that day, one thing remains clear: The gun he used to kill Trayvon Martin was lawfully returned to him following his acquittal. And he is, according to recent reports, looking to buy more.

Which invites the question: What does a person have to do in this country to get a gun taken away? Or lose the right to a concealed carry permit? And, more specifically, what does a man with a noted history of both domestic violence complaints and a willingness to use deadly force, who is currently in the news for what may still turn out to be another such incident, have to do?

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http://www.salon.com/2013/09/12/take_his_guns_away_already_why_the_george_zimmermans_are_so_protected/

[hlthe2b]

1. I believe a large number of those with guns, would use it in an abusive manner...

if someone incited their anger. Not having a gun, forces one to at least think twice before inflicting violence in the most expedient manner. THAT alone is why we need to rethink the ready and nearly unregulated flow of guns.

[hack89]

2. Too bad the data says otherwise.

but then, "feelings" are all that matter when it comes gun control, right?

[hlthe2b]

4. Bullshit. Those that defend the carnage deserve no reply from any of us.

The evidence comes in daily.

[hack89]

8. Simple logic says that if you were correct

as more guns come in to public domain then violent crimes using guns would also go up. Correct?

But we know that that is not true - violent crime of all kinds is at historic lows. Which means that your contention that a large number of gun owners are using their guns is anger to shoot others is false. In fact fewer and fewer gun owners are using their guns in anger

[hlthe2b]

9. Australia is the perfect example to blow your BS out of the water.

But again, those who defend the carnage are clearly not amenable to such factual discussion , so I will not engage further.

[hack89]

10. We are talking about America and its steadily declining rate of violent crime.

We have cut our murder rate in half over the past 20 years and it continues to decline - but that doesn't fit into your world view, does it?

Yes we can do better but refusing to recognize that things have been getting better for a long time is delusional.

[hlthe2b]

11. I and countless others have wasted time providing facts, statistics & cogent counter arguments

in the gungeon and GD for years, now. Like most addicts, those most wedded to the sacred gun are not impacted by reason alone.

[hack89]

12. Here are the FBI annual crime reports - America's official crime statistics

they back up everything I have said.

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/ucr-publications#Crime

You don't like guns - I get it.

[hlthe2b]

13. Those who misinterpret those statistics are likewise

not amenable to reason. I and others have blown these arguments out of the water multiple times. Go find yourself another gun obsessed fan to promulgate the propaganda with... I will waste no more time with gun addicts.

[hack89]

14. Are you really saying that violence in America is increasing?

Really?

[hlthe2b]

15. Violence in America is decreasing, but not for the reasons you proclaim

Heroin is likewise bad, but the statistics don't move those addicts either.

[hack89]

17. I never proclaimed a reason. I know it is not because of more guns.

the problem is a complex social one - only an idiot would boil it down to a single cause.

[mikeysnot]

3. Gun nuts are cowards at best

raging lunatics at the worst... I pity them.

George Zimmerman, the poster boy for what is wrong with America's gun nut culture.

[hlthe2b]

5. +1

[jsr]

6. They're living gods of the gun industry

Cops either love them or are scared of them, or the resulting publicity.

[HappyMe]

7. They can't take it away

because he isn't a convicted felon.

I don't like the fact that this ass is running around with a gun. Somebody is going to pay with their life again.

[HolyMoley]

16. Huh?

The gun he used to kill Trayvon Martin was lawfully returned to him following his acquittal.

Last I read, that particular firearmwasn't returned to him.
It was seized by the US Justice Dept. pending a federal civil rights violation investigation.

And he is, according to recent reports, looking to buy more.

Really? What "recent reports"? Lets see them.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

18. Well, you do have his recent little field trip to the Kel-Tec factory.

[onehandle]

20. He went to the fucking factory that made the gun he used to kill Trayvon!

It was all over the news then. Especially here at DU.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/08/25/1233745/-George-Zimmerman-tours-factory-that-made-gun-he-used-to-kill-Trayvon-Martin-Eyes-new-shotgun

[MineralMan]

19. The laws in Florida and Federal Laws are why.

If he is convicted of a felony, he will lose his right to possess firearms. Until then, there is no legal way to take his firearms away. Until the laws are changed, they remain in force, and the hands of law enforcement are tied.

The answer to the question posed by the writer is easy enough to find. Just look to the laws. If they are not good laws, then they should be changed. I think they are not good laws. I think they should be changed. Until they are, though, people like Zimmerman will carry guns around to assuage their cowardice.

[hughee99]

21. We all know he's guilty. We all know he's dangerous.

We should have a justice system based on what "we all know". Unfortunately, we have a system based on what we can prove, or at the very least, one that will only temporarily restrain someone pending a decision.