George Zimmerman not guilty

[FJ111200]

As a bystander from the UK,
hasn't this thread run it's course? 
I follow a couple of U.S. bike forums and this forum is the only one that is running with this subject.
And, this topic is posted in a section that say's talk about anything apart from guns.
Now shoot me down if you want, but ain't it about time to wrap this up?
Good God, if i had a gun........

[Thmsdoyle]

I agree 100%!

[rktmanfj]

As a bystander from the UK,
hasn't this thread run it's course? 
I follow a couple of U.S. bike forums and this forum is the only one that is running with this subject.
And, this topic is posted in a section that say's talk about anything apart from guns.
Now shoot me down if you want, but ain't it about time to wrap this up?
Good God, if i had a gun........

I agree 100%!

The whole reason this forum was started in this type of format was so that people didn't have to look at threads in which they had no interest.

Whether or not it's miscategorized (by now you already know if the title didn't clue you in) if you have no interest in the thread then don't open it.

Pretty simple.

[FJ111200]

So where's the Gun Section?

[JCainFJ]

It is the next to last board at the bottom of the Home page. You will have to sign in.

[FJ111200]

Thanks Cain.

Wish i had a gun at times.

[HARTLESS]

Thanks Cain.

Wish i had a gun at times.

I carry three at all times. Two are always on stand by and  one is always loaded 

[JPaganel]

More then my gut tells me that Zimmerman took a gun on a neighborhood watch pertrole,

How is this a problem? Why should a neighborhood watch member, a person who performs a community service and potentially places himself in harm's way, without pay and backing of the police union, be defenseless?   And how is it different from anyone else being armed outside their house?

he got out of his vehicle and chased a "suspicious" person, he ignored directions given to him in a call to 911 and he confronted the "suspicious" person. How many stupid decisions does Zimmerman get to make before he is held accountable for his actions?

The first is not at all criminal, just less than prudent. The second isn't true ("you don't have to do that" is not a direction). The third one I am not so sure about, since, as I've mentioned a few times here, I don't see how what he did warrants being physically attacked. He did get his nose broken for it, though.

The action that may or may not be criminal is the actual shooting. The jury determined it is not.

I am all for gun rights, I have more then a few guns and I have had my CCDW training. Stupid people are playing right into the hands of the people who want to take away our rights and our guns.

That's like saying "I have a Jewish friend" to prove you are not anti-Semitic. Seriously, how can you be for gun rights and say that the mere fact of him having a gun was a "stupid decision"?

  If they give Zimmerman back his gun , is the state of Florida going to give Casey Marie Anthony a baby?

That is an absolutely ridiculous comparison. Do I even really need to explain why?

[JCainFJ]

There are guidelines ( from a national chief of police association) for neighborhood watch pertroles.
1. 2 people on every pertrole.
2. Never chase a suspicious person.
3. Never confront a suspicious person.
4. Report suspicious persons to the police (911 in this case) and wait for the police to respond.
5. No guns on pertrole.
And many more I'm sure, but these are the relevant ones.

Zimmerman ignored every one of these guidelines and the advice from the 911 person. That is stupid, just plain stupid.  If Zimmerman had fallowed  these guidelines he would not have been attacked and Martin would be alive today.

I will stand by my pro gun statement, I have guns, I have invested lots of time and money for training, and I believe that every American  (who is not a felon, mentally ill or stupid) should be able to legally own and carry a gun.  I did not say that the mere fact that Zimmerman has a gun was a "stupid decision". I did say that taking a gun on a neighborhood watch pertrole was a " stupid decision" and it looks like the police chiefs association agrees  with me.

[HARTLESS]

I hate to tell you guys this and I really don't care but I like to join the convo too, but I don't think that this is going everywhere. I mean , even when I think to myself about the situation I tell myself that it was stupid for Zimmerman to follow him  (mentioned in a previous post how I don't know the story)but if Martin took something or whatever I would follow him too and I know many other people would as well. but I know if I were Martin, I would not have acted in the same way at all. I mean, he was on the phone right? why wasn't he talking to 911 as well? idk, I really don't even know enough to be talking, but im going by what has been said on this thread from both sides. Lets just hope none of us gets involved in this kind of situation

[Pat Conlon]

State of mind has bearing....we know Zimmerman's, he is alive.
It's hard to know Martin's state of mind, he's dead....but wait a minute.....check out his cell phone.
Look at his most recent texts, look at the recent pictures.


Looking at the texts from Martin is very informative on his angry state of mind....shame the press does not report it.....shame the court did not allow it into evidence.

Google it, see for yourself.

[JPaganel]

There are guidelines ( from a national chief of police association) for neighborhood watch pertroles.
1. 2 people on every pertrole.
2. Never chase a suspicious person.
3. Never confront a suspicious person.
4. Report suspicious persons to the police (911 in this case) and wait for the police to respond.
5. No guns on pertrole.
And many more I'm sure, but these are the relevant ones.

Guidelines are not rules. Some police brass association are not the people I would be listening to.You may not be aware of this, but what police brass and rank and file officers think usually differs, and the chiefs would kill concealed carry in a hot minute, if they could. They regularly oppose pro-gun legislation, while the rank and file officers that are actually working on the street support it.

At any rate, I asked for your opinion, not some political appointees.  Can you explain why guns on patrol are a bad idea, but CCW at other times is not?

Zimmerman ignored every one of these guidelines and the advice from the 911 person. That is stupid, just plain stupid.  If Zimmerman had fallowed  these guidelines he would not have been attacked and Martin would be alive today.

Following that just a hair further, had he not not been on patrol at all, this wouldn't be an issue. Perhaps neighborhood patrols are just a bad idea?

I mean, he was on the phone right? why wasn't he talking to 911 as well?

That one is actually easy. He was a black teenager, and police aren't known for being very friendly towards black teenagers. I've never been a black teenager, but even my experiences with police haven't instilled a great amount of confidence in me.

Also, teenagers tend to do stupid things. Occasionally what they do gets them killed.

[HARTLESS]

Quote from: HARTLESS on Today at 09:24:24 PM
I mean, he was on the phone right? why wasn't he talking to 911 as well?

That one is actually easy. He was a black teenager, and police aren't known for being very friendly towards black teenagers. I've never been a black teenager, but even my experiences with police haven't instilled a great amount of confidence in me.

Also, teenagers tend to do stupid things. Occasionally what they do gets them killed.

right, It was more of a statement directed toward the fact that everyone says what should or shouldn't have happened in a "perfect world", and I think that's what some people need to understand. People make mistakes but there is a point at which a mistake turns in to more than just a mistake. I think that the more notable mistake here was Martin Smashing Zimmermans head into the concrete, whether or not he was defending himself or attacking Zimmerman, because when it comes down to it, MOST LIKELY (we will never know) if he would have just kept walking, he would probably still be alive today...but on the other hand, if Zimmerman wouldn't have followed Martin its the same deal. Now, saying that, Zimmerman had ever right to follow that guy if he thought he was a theft suspect or whatever and to my knowledge did not break any laws in doing so (like I said, I don't know the whole story). So I guess what I meant is that basically this thread is a moral dilemma for some people because they probably cant grasp the concept of law vs. opinion.

[crzyjarmans]

As he cant be tried for the same crime, That why I said "wrongful Death",

So you just want him screwed for life financially. How generous of you.

Lets just agree to disagree, And drop the subject, You can have your opinion, And I can have mine

I have not once said you could not have your opinion. I just asked you a couple of questions about it and pointed out how your opinion is baseless. You didn't answer any of the questions and you keep calling for the guy's head on a platter based on pretty much nothing more than your gut feeling. As for dropping the subject, I can certainly do that. However I would like to point out that if you start a discussion on a controversial subject in a public venue, you should be prepared for people to question your opinions.

Actually I did answer your question, but I think you didn't like my answer, I have a concealed weapons license, And It is my duty to avoid any possible negative contact with another, Although this isn't always possible, So,If I think someone is acting in a suspicious manner, I would call the police and give a description as best as I could and direction of travel, And let them handle the rest, I would not follow, because this could lead to a fight where I might be forced to use deadly force, I would what to avoid this, Zimmerman didn't think about "What might happen if I follow this person", My hole opinion on this case would be drastically different if Zimmerman was just walking down the street minding his own business and Martin had jumped him, But this is not what had happened, I think it was you who posted, And I might be wrong if it was you, "Martin was walking through the grass in-between the buildings, Who does this", well, Me when I was his age, Doesn't mean I was up to no good, Just young, Now, I don't think Zimmerman should get murder, 1st or 2nd degree, Because I do think his life was in jeopardy, And to save his life he needed to do what he did, Now, before you say "It's not illegal to follow someone", As this is a correct statement, His actions is what ignited the shooting, If Martin was committing a violent act, Like, Rape, Or something in this nature, I could understand, But just because Martin had a Hoodie on, And was black, I can't agree with what he did, Rainy night, I might have had a hoodie on as well, I shouldn't have to worry about being shot over it, some are saying, " Martin had been suspended for fighting, So what, I been suspended for fighting when I was I kid in school, What does that have to do with anything? I'll have to stick with my opinion that Zimmerman should have received a sentence of Involuntary  Manslaughter, If you still can not understand my reason of thinking, That's OK, We will just have to agree we have difference's of opinion 

[crzyjarmans]

So where's the Gun Section?

Although this isn't about guns,The gun section is in-between forum suggestions and non fj - jokes/humor