The 911 call was changed by a new agency. Get you facts right. Also you can not just arrest a person with out evidence. That is why it still took time after the state and feds steeped in. Most of the time a person may be questioned after a crime but are not arrested until all the evidence is collected and they decide to prosecute the individual.

I could just as easily accuse the NRA of minimizing the Trayvon Martin case as it's caused an uproar against "stand your ground" legislation.

"Everyday victims aren't celebrities. They don't draw ratings, don't draw sponsors..."

Funny how the NRA doesn't see the dead kid as the victim but rather the shooter. I guess the right to bear-arms and kill teenagers is more important to them than the right to breathe. Everyday victims may not draw ratings but the one thing we know for sure is that Trayvon Martin is no longer drawing breath.

The NRA has so predictably blamed the victim for political gain that they are undermining their legitimacy. Whether or not Zimmerman will get off on the Stand Your Ground provision of the law it is clear he intentionally followed an unarmed teenager against the direction of the police department dispatcher and shot him dead. Tell me how Zimmerman is a victim?

About half the people I know own guns. None of them support the NRA.

One gun owner I know (I call him chicken little) supports "stand your ground" laws. He also has beans-N-bullits (what no tinfoil?) stashed out in the sticks for the day the government tries to lock everyone in FEMA camps.

I don't want chicken little or the NRA writing the laws (that goes for ALEC too) for my city,state, or country thank you.

The NRA has not said that they support what Zimmerman did. I know that may of you are reading that last part of the story and getting it all wrong. I did a google search and I found several articles with NRA and Zimmerman in the title and all the show is the line "George Zimmerman is the NRA," the group's president, Dan Gross, said in a statement earlier this week. By the statements I have seen here people think that the president of the NRA said this. Read the paragraph beforeand see who actually said that. If someone can link one news story where the NRA made a statement that they support Zimmerman then I will be wrong. I searched and could not find one.

The so-called "victim" was the one doing the attacking and physical assault of someone SMALLER than him. As far as EXPLOITING this tradgedy, you should REALLY look at the Racist Rabble rousers of Sharpton and Jackson, the Anti-gun crowd that are wetting their panties to use the incident and the liberal leftwing propaganda machine that has NOT hesitated to manipulate the truth to stir up the racial divide and to sensationalize the incident to sell more papers.

Predictably, all the ignorant anti-gun crowd have jumped in with completely inane nonsense statements and claims. They want to change what the 911 dispatcher said, what Zimmerman did, what witnesses saw and to change the facts to fit their racist and anti-gun feelings. Wonder if they have the rope measured and the noose tied yet because they sound like the crowds of vigilantes that use to do that in the old west.

Thinknaboutit

One gun owner I know (I call him chicken little) supports "stand your ground" laws. He also has beans-N-bullits (what no tinfoil?) stashed out in the sticks for the day the government tries to lock everyone in FEMA camps.

But when the next disaster hits your area you will begging "chicken little" for a can of beans while you await FEMA to arrive a week later. Do YOU have 3 days of food that you can eat while you wait for the FEDS to arrive? "Are you Ready" by FEMA has some suggestions. Are you going to be one of those standing on the bridge while the cops take pot shots at you?

Of course "chicken little" is all for Stand Your Ground. Just remember that when you attempt to get his supplies "grasshopper"

The Stand Your Ground Law never played an issue here because Zimmerman disregarded police dispatchers when they told him to stop following Trayvon. The news media has gone overboard in their coverage of this case. They have edited material in an effort to whip up racial tensions. We can count on the main stream media doing this very thing anytime they feel a story matches one of their templates. If this had been a case of a young black man killing another young black man it would have been ignored altogether. If the news media and other liberal organizations interpreted the second amendment as liberally as they do the first amendment they would demand everyone own a gun.

Billie-2352729: You ask if they read the news?? Funny for someone who sprews things before he even bothers to find the Truth of what happened.

I own many rifles, shotguns and pistols and an avid hunter. What concerns me is that the NRA backs these type of laws such as "Stand Your Ground" as though we are living in the days of the lawless Wild West days but do not take any responsibility when their lobbying for such laws are used in the wrong way. We have not heard one word from the NRA rebuking the application of this Wild West law by this Zimmerman character. I for one would never join the NRA as they have truly lost their way and have gone totally to the far right of politics using scare tactics in the protection of gun laws much different than they were in the sixties and seventies. Are we not sure they are lobbying for the gun manufacturers instead of the people of this country?

But when the next disaster hits your area you will begging "chicken little" for a can of beans while you await FEMA to arrive a week later

No, I'll be living well off my own supplies of homegrown canned vegetables and bottled water right here in my house and checking in on my neighbors, while "chicken little" is fighting traffic (his "chicken little" friends) towards their stashes out in the sticks. And I own much nicer guns than "chicken little" if he gets any ideas on his way out of town.

Are you going to be one of those standing on the bridge while the cops take pot shots at you?

Nope, I'd much rather be the one filming the police taking pot shots, and myself performing a citizens arrest/self defense... think I'd be a you tube sensation?

Of course "chicken little" is all for Stand Your Ground. Just remember that when you attempt to get his supplies "grasshopper

I just hope "chicken little" took my advice and has added seeds, water filtration, and some basic medical supplies to his stash. Otherwise he'll be forced to move back to the city eventually, and I think we'd all be happier if he stood his ground in the sticks.

How 'bout calling them "Shoot, Don't Question" laws? I mean, the law requires the unquestioned acceptance by police of the shooter's claim of danger.

Even police departments oppose these laws. Of course, the 2nd amendment guy (Gottlieb) interviewed on TV last night argued that accepting police criteria would make us a police state.

That's an incredible stretch of unmittigated spin, without any regards for seeking reasonable solutions to vexing problems.

Yep. We all need to be packing guns. It is so damn lawless out there. Shoot first ask questions later.

What a bunch of idiots all the gun nuts are.

The ALEC/NRA sponsored stand your ground law needs to be repealed period. We already have the 2nd amendment and that should be good enough not some law that gives a coward the right to commit outright murder. The only people this law is helping is the gun industry and the NRA. A coward like Zimmerman and Joe Horn should be in prison but because of this flawed law sadly i think Zimmerman like Joe Horn will walk!!

Why should I as a law abiding , tax paying , family man , and US citizen, should I not have the basic HUMAN right to defend my life and property against an armed or overpowering intruder or criminal , WHY ? Well in the 27 states that don't have the STAND YOUR GROUND law I'm supposed to look for a way to run instead of fighting !!!! In my state of MASSA(DEVAL)USETTS, that is what is expected !!!! Right, that's why you shoot to kill to defend your self , no bleeding hart witness's .

The NRA is complaining of the unevenness of the reporting... and they're right. We should be paying just as much attention to ALL shootings whether it's guns in the wrong hands, guns used in robberies, kids playing with daddy's gun, road rage gun usage, accidental shootings, stalking shootings, drive-by shootings killing innocent people, or the one or two done in self defense. Oh yea... and it's the self defense shootings that justify the thousands of killings that occur daily.

I like guns. I like to target practice. They make a great noise and make me feel macho. But the NRA goes way too far. The NRA has no place cmplaining about the media with the money they spend lobbying and on false ads.

"Everyday victims aren't celebrities. They don't draw ratings, don't draw sponsors..."

Of course…….who cares about the Hispanic male robbed and shot by 3 black males this morning who are still on the run tonight? Al, Jessie, where are you now???? Where are the marches, the outrage, the black panthers putting out a bounty?

I can hear the crickets chirping

http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/region_c_palm_beach_county/lake_worth/person-shot-during-a-robbery-saturday-morning-in-lake-worth

The NRA is correct. Media people are horrid. I still can't believe what the NBC producer did and I'm so glad he was fired. They never released his name only calling him a "seasoned" producer.

wow, just wow!! where did it ever say the NRA views the kid as a shooter? you are the very type of person who ruins it for everyone else by being so ignorant about anything around you then spewing your ignorance like a disease on this vine.

For someone that refuses to fully use punctuation you sure know a lot about ignorance. It is obvious what side the NRA is taking so there is no need to pretend that they are supportive of the victim in this case. Clearly they are supportive of Zimmerman and the Stand Your Ground legislation. You somehow fail to acknowledge or consider the fact that the NRA is by definition a lobbying group! No, they wouldn't side with the shooter - yeah right! They have a political agenda and it is manifestly NOT to defend the victim Trayvon Martin. Please stop trying to spin the issue by calling me names. Just because someone has a differing political view of something doesn't make them stupid and ignorant...

What the hell has happened to this cowboy mentality country? It is sickening to see all the chest thumping "by god it's my right to own a G-damned gun!! Self centered bunch!!

Before you start clucking at me....I am married to a fellow that has 6-7 guns. They are used to put meat on the table and thats it. In fact the NRA called him the other day and he told them to take a hike!!

I support the right to bear arms. I hate the NRA. Speaking of sensationalizing things, tell us more about Obama's secret plan to take away everyone's guns once he gets his second term in office, Wayne LaPierre. I don't think you made quite enough money scaring people when you told them he was going to take all their guns his first term.

*sigh* why do people still believe what the media is telling em? abc and nbc both have been caught doctoring information and yet nothing was done to em. some of you ignorant people actually think what a dispatcher says is lawful, ITS NOT. zimmerman was FOLLOWING martin, NOT stalking, NOT runnng, NOT chasing, nothing illegal about following someone and martin never knew zimmerman had a gun until sometime after martin initiated the confrontation with a sucker-punch. if your getting your info from the news then your already wrong.

SIGH.......Right because we should get news from the "fair and balanced" FUX news. Now THAT's a network we can trust! -_-

If it isn't anything that Zimmerman did not follow the order of a person who is TRAINED and is SWORN to protect the public.......why the hell then did he call?!?!

And where the hell exactly is your source when it comes to the statement that Martin initiated the sucker punch?!? Please inquiring minds would like to know.

Pulling it from up under your ass doesn't count.

wiseone......not anti gun, anti abuse of guns, big difference. There is not and was not ever any doubt as to who the aggressor was. Only one of them had a gun, only one of them followed the other ( against police dispatcher directions, when police were on their way). You can try to twist this any way you want, but you are only fooling yourself. I do however doubt if there is evidence beyond a reasonable doubt to get a murder verdict, but that does not mean Zimmerman was not the aggressor and did not instigate the whole thing.

To EVERYBODY on both sides of this issue. If not for the NRA, ONLY criminals would have guns and all you could do is wait on the police(how long will it take) and sit there and possibly be killed.None of you nor I know the true facts of this case, only what the media selectively "reports"(or makes up) so dont jump to conclusions. I am a proud owner of many firearms and am prepared to use them to defend myself against criminals but also our rogue government when the scum in D.C. get the notion to finish their implementation of a complete police state.

Larry-314720

Hey Thinkaboutit, someday you might just think: @!$%#, that chicken little was right after all.

He's been calling for the big event for years, and I keep warning him he'll end up like my uncle rest his soul... holed up in a bunker in the sticks for the last decade of his life. Listening to art bell (and taking is seriously) in the middle of the night guarding his stash of beans and bullits from the FBI/CIA/aliens etc... I don't spend much time wondering which one of us are living life to the fullest.

I have no issue with being prepared. Being fatalistic, as if you'll have to shoot your neighbors to gaurd your beans is pretty funny to me. Sorry if you don't get it.

Hahahaha. Very funny, NRA. You know, I'm all for gun rights. I'm also for gun limits. We cannot be so loose about guns; face it, they can kill. And can cause things to grow out of control.

As for the Trayvon Martin case, people got angry because of the events. For one thing, the police did not seem to investigate the suspect. No drug tests; nothing. But they did that for the body. Secondly, the police seemed to take Zimmerman's word at face value. You don't listen to the guy who pulled the trigger; for all we know he could have been lying. Thirdly; he should have been arrested. You don't shoot someone and get to go home in the same night after telling the authorities. They could have kept him until evidence was gathered; but they didn't.

And lastly, which I think is most important, this case led to an outbreak against Castle Doctrine laws. People suddenly began to focus on the effects, and in Florida is seems like things have become worse. I mean, somebody died, and this guy Zimmerman wasn't even in any real danger. Sure, he was concerned, but at least he had a gun. Trayvon didn't. I'm just gonna say that he should have been arrested. Had that happened, I don't the media would have gone all over this. At least I don't think so. But who knows??? The media these days are hungry for news...

In this time-line that survivalist play out in their heads - what do they envision as the final results. Do they see them selves as being triumphant? Do they think the threat will be over in just 3 months? Unrest in other parts of the world have been on going for decades - are the survivalists ready to meet such adversity? Some major fairy tails going on in their heads - I guess history books were not part of the pre planning. Just because Will Smith saves the planet in 3 hours, doesn't mean you will see the same results.

Gun owners preach that they are stable responsible people - but as you see above, they preach it with a very vial tongue. What they preach and how they really act are miles apart. Zimmerman was a hot head who thought he had the law on his side - then reality gave him a smack down. It's better to recite actual law than preach your version of the laws.

The NRA spokesperson is an idiot by comparing the Trayvon case to Sarah McKinley. She made national news too, but didn't stay there because there wasn't much more to report on. Apparently the guy doesn't read the headlines until they've been in the news for more than 2 days!!!

Plus Sarah's case was much different. The guy broke into her HOME!!!! They weren't in public. People who kick in your door rarely have good intentions. But Zimmerman's motives were questionable at best. And he can't prove Martin was up to no good. Stupid, stupid comparison by an organizaztion that is grasping at straws to keep their precious legislation in place!

If this was a story about one black teenager shooting another black teenager, a black teenager shooting a white teenager, or if Zimmerman was black and Trayvon* was white, this would not even be a newsworthy story.

*Of course if Trayvon was white he would have a different name!

Sadly this is true. I have two questions about how this is being covered.

Why isn't there a current picture of trayvon being shown?

If the media can take the time to tell us what George bought in his comissary then why can't they tell the story about how he set up a movement to go after the killer of a homeless black man?

Zimmerman disregarded police dispatchers when they told him to stop following Trayvon.

Tell a lie often enough and it will become true? I think not. The dispatcher told Zimmerman "you don't have to do that", as has been pointed out daily, but it sounds so much better to lie and say he was "told" not to follow and paint that picture you want.

DoTheRightThing,

The only reason you own guns is because of the 2nd Amendment. The only reason anyone thinks they NEED a gun is because of the NRA.

Everyone Else,

Own your guns, all you want, no one is coming for them, but stop spouting the illogical fear-mongering. And anyone who is just defending themself, has the ability or option of flight, and doesn't take it, is no longer JUST defending themself.

Before we start with the finger pointing and name calling, I consider myself a liberal, I am a gun owner and I somewhat agree with the claim of the NRA that news media blew this out of proportion, but for different reasons. My only reason to believe that the media blew it is because when so much people was 'informed' by the media (despite their political views), how do you expect an impartial jury to come with a verdict? Zimmerman's attorney is sitting relaxed, because no matter what the prosecution may do, trying to find an impartial jury in this case is going to be almost impossible, thanks to the media lust for information. They blew it by making the recordings public, by opening any venue to the 'reasonable doubt' option (remember that in this type of trials -criminal- the verdict is given beyond 'reasonable doubt.'  If the 'reasonable doubt'  is already instilled by the media industry by making a mockery out of this, don't get surprised when the jury does not bring a guilty verdict. Instead of letting the investigation run, every media outlet came up with their own theory, argument, etc. Haven't we learned after the Casey Anthony case to wait? Apparently not. So, don't be surprised when this thing blows on everybody's face. And if the jury convicts Zimmerman, he already has secured an appeal based on all the stupid actions of the media, regardless of their political orientation. For them is only profits, justice or the truth for them is irrelevant, it does not bring profits.

Chad-2729725Restored

The 911 call was changed by a new agency. Get you facts right. Also you can not just arrest a person with out evidence. That is why it still took time after the state and feds steeped in. Most of the time a person may be questioned after a crime but are not arrested until all the evidence is collected and they decide to prosecute the individual.

Who told u that lie that u cannot be arrested w/out evidence ? U can be arrested on suspicion alone to warrant probable cause and officers do so all the time.

Sally is a shining goddess of truth, beauty and light. Thanks, Sally.

While it is true that the media generally does not nationally cover what happens locally, some cases are strange enough that they do get lots of coverage. That same "liberal" media telling us about some murders also reports about the response of organizations like the NRA.

The NRA is involved in this because they chose to lobby hard for the "Stand Your Ground" laws that are the reason people can kill other people if they feel threatened. It is disingenuous of the NRA to complain about the reporting of a murder that occurred (presumably) as a result of someone killing someone else because they didn't feel safe.

Their are lots of ways to make neighborhoods safe that don't involve walking around with a gun. I wish the NRA would concentrate on hunting, and not spend so much time encouraging the paranoid people to buy and use guns in their own neighborhoods. Perhaps the NRA should be working on issues about domestic violence, where people get shot by their spouses. After all, just the other day a man shot and killed his own wife and one of his daughters at a restaurant, also injuring another 10 year old daughter. Does the NRA have anything to say about that case, given that they are complaining there isn't enough national coverage of murders?

There's a difference between defending gun rights, versus over politicizing and freaking people out. Like, for instance, attacking Obama on the issue of gun rights constantly, but failing to mention that gun rights have INCREASED on his watch.

They're nothing but a front for the gun industry to sell more weapons.

BTW, I own a couple of shotguns, a MAK-90, AR-15, and a Ruger SR-9. Just because you're a gun owner doesn't mean you have to support such a sh!t organization.

freedom how come every time someone chooses not to own a gun people like you always go with "your probably a criminal who can't own a gun" Do you even realize how asinine that make you sound. Btw before you go off on some tangent about me being pinko commie liberal I would just like to say that yes I do own guns and do believe in the right to own and use them but you don't have to be a prick to someone just because they have a different opinion.

Neko ...

Thank you for civilized and respectful viewpoints. Yes, we have the 2nd Amendment, yes we have the right to own guns (I do too and, more importantly, know how to safely and correctly use it).

I can even respect and support the idea of defending your HOME against an intruder. That makes sense. However, these SYG laws go too in that they embolden people like Zimmerman. Had he stayed in his vehicle and let the police take care of it, this wouldn't have happened.

I no longer respect the NRA and have not for a long time. I too seem them as a shill for the gun industry.

As a life member of the NRA it is hard to remain loyal, over the last 5 years or so I have seen a shift towards a group I do not want to be part of. I think they have lost their way, especially if they defend Zimmerman's actions in any way.

just because you are paranoid that doesn't mean that they aren't out to get you

Not to mention people that vote to collapse your comment. They love the 2nd Amendment, but seem to always forget about the 1st.

Actually Ranman, the First Amendment does not apply to Newsvine. It ONLY applies to Congress passing laws that infringe. Let me review for you ...

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech,

Freedom of Speech does NOT mean speech without consequences. In this case, the consequences of your speech was the collapsed remark. If you dis your boss, the consequences can be getting fired. Neither are a violation of the First Amendment.

However this give me a chance for MY soapbox, lobbying Newsvine for a "down" arrow. I believe the reason for so many collapsed comments is there is no way to easily DISAGREE (we can easily AGREE). Therefore, people collapse. If a down arrow was implemented (such as with the sports forums), collapsing can be reserved for those comments that truly need to be reported.

Beth, you're missing the forest from the trees.

I know that the 1st Amendment references to speech in public affairs and not private blogs, but there's no reason to go collapsing someone's comments from views just because their opinion differs from yours. It's the principle of the situation, not the legality.

You think this way because your probly a criminal who can NOT own a gun.

freedo-supporter

The NRA and the right wing Republicans, conservatives and Tea party are lobbying for more guns and less gun regulation and oversight because they are the real criminals. And doltish people like you are fascistic lemmings that believe what they are told to believe!

not to mention the people collapsing your comments claim to be Constitutional advocates. Kind of hypocritical if you ask me.

Ranman ... no, I'm not. It irks me when people mistakenly try to apply the First Amendment and whine because someone shows displeasure at their remarks.

If you want to find the "forest" look at it this way, by your view, the "principle of the situation" they are simply exercising THEIR right to disagree with you!

Actually, problem would be solved simply with a "down arrow".

It is odd that the NRA has now for all practical purposes taken on a pro-murder agenda. It is almost as if they strive to be a domestic terrorist organization. It is hard to imagine that they would so strongly support a guy that just shot dead a teenager for doing nothing wrong at all... but here we are.

The NRA and soft hands, never worked a day in his suited life La peirre, suck.

It's a good thing there are a few "paranoid dicks" around or we would all be controlled by the political gangs and the criminal gangs.

Hummm, wonder why so many of you point to this issue as the "Liberal Press"? While it's true that the majority of reporters are Liberal.......almost without exception, the editors, and owners are Conservative. Perhaps you should just focus on the issue, rather than the alleged political leanings.... and the issue here is about NRA,

It's a good thing there are a few "paranoid dicks" around or we would all be controlled by the political gangs and the criminal gangs.

Guess you never heard of the police? You know, the professionals that are trained to deal with criminals? Your answer is vigilante justice? I can't help but think you watch too many movies if you don't see the problem with that.

Remember TheOverblown... When seconds count... the police are only minutes away. The main function of the police is to investigate crimes after they happen (and to give out traffic tickets). When someone has you on the ground and is beating on you are you just going to lay there and wait for the police to save you? Meh... you probably would.

Ranman, your comment was collapsed because other posters felt it was offensive just as other poster's comments were also collapsed by the community. If you feel offended by this you can either complain to Newsvine to have your post restored or you are free to go elsewhere. As you should already know, this is the Newsvine norm.

To all of you claiming to have several guns while denouncing the NRA:

I don't believe you for a second!! It's a typical Leftist ploy to say, "I am a gun owner" or "I am a former Republican" or whatever they think will give credence to their opinions. 99% of the time, it is a LIE.

Why do you people think that it took a MONTH from the time of the Martin/Zimmerman incident for the "social media firestorm" to develop? It's because that's how long it took for the various groups, that are USING Martin's death for own their political agenda, to coordinate with their membership and each other and to recruit Sharpton and Jackson as their frontmen and to gain the connivance of their media wh0res.

These people don't give a DAM* about Trayvon Martin and his family. They are just tools to be used for a political agenda. This scam is straight out of the Saul Alinsky handbook - never let a crisis go to waste and if a crisis doesn't exist, CREATE ONE. That goes hand-in-hand with another of Alinsky's principles - never tell the truth if a LIE suits your agenda.

Now, for those that are claiming that Obama is not seeking to do an end run around the present gun laws. Since you want to claim (without merit) that Fox News is behind it, there's THIS from your liberal buddies at the HUFFINGTON POST:

"Faced with a Congress hostile to even slight restrictions of Second Amendment rights, the Obama administration is exploring potential changes to gun laws that can be secured strictly through executive action, administration officials say."

"The Department of Justice held the first in what is expected to be a series of meetings on Tuesday afternoon with a group of stakeholders in the ongoing gun-policy debates. Before the meeting, officials said part of the discussion was expected to center around the White House's options for shaping policy ON ITS OWN or through its adjoining agencies and departments..."

BTW, the so-called "stakeholders" in these meetings are the same ones that have been orchestrating the dishonest media campaign in the Martin/Zimmerman controversy. They include the ACLU, the NAACP, and some shadow groups such as The Color of Change. That is a George Soros funded organization run by the former Obama "czar", Van Jones, who resigned in disgrace after some of his past actions and affiliations came to light.

This is a despicable attempt to shape public policy through a dishonest propaganda campaign of villifying opponents and deceiving the public.

Foolishness, the name suits you

Ciew - Why are you aghast at the comments from foolishness? Could it be that they may be right? Scotty rails against the NRA coming into the fray for political reasons (comment 3.2), then why is it not believable that Sharpton, Jackson, the New Black Panther Party et al are NOT here JUST for political gain? LB jumps right to the political by dumping on Cheney (comment 3.6) yet I guess their heart is in the right place, so that's okay?

The NRA defends the rights of ALL gun owners in the US, and all who may in the future wish to become gun owners. Yes, they have a lobbying arm that goes to Congress, but they are not nearly as powerful or corrupt as so many the deal with the Sharpton's and Jackson's of this world. But, because they do not meet YOUR standard, they must be done away with, right?

This past week end in the DC area, 5 people were killed or injured in a gang fight using knives, including 2 innocent children who were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Where are the demands for 5 day waiting periods to buy Ginzus? Why have not Jackson and Sharpton flown up here to protest this crime? Could it be because it was "black on black" crime, so it's not "news" worthy of the "Major" media outlets? Could it be there is no money in it for the Jackson's and Sharptons?

What a complete idiot.

A bullet, fired from a legally-registered handgun, which rips through the chest of a child, destroying his internal organs and ending his life is a far more sensational occurance.

Officer, that old lady looked me really mean, so I felt threatened and shot her. She was also wearing a hoody.

Please......................

Backcountry,

Every case is entitiled to National attention. Whether politically correct or not. And good for anyone who takes it to that level if it will make it fair. This case was not fair and Z was almost completly let free without any accountability. And it was a child who was killed. THis is how changes are made; by cases like this. And I get really tired of people using black criminals for a defense as white gangs also commit these types of crimes and many others as well

well said, I agree 100%

Hunter480:

What a complete idiot.

You shouldn't be so hard on yourself.

wiseone? you're name does you no justice. But hey, you're proof that FOX is succeeding at mind control.

Rick's Real

A bullet, fired from a legally-registered handgun, which rips through the chest of a child, destroying his internal organs and ending his life is a far more sensational occurance.

Apparently more sensational than ILLEGAL guns shooting a mother and child asleep in their bed.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-04-12/news/chi-two-shot-in-west-pullman-20120411_1_baby-shot-sister-men-shot

I am certain those shooters are card carrying members of the NRA, registered their guns at the nearest Chicago Police station as required by law and purchased all of their ammunition legally at a registered supplier. (SARCASM)

Since it is LIKELY the shooters were Black or at least Gang members, Jesse and Al have no interest. They might upset someone enough to get shot for "dissing" them. This will make their RADAR if it turns out the shooters are non Blacks though but not before then. Obama's child could very easily look just like this victim and comes from his "home" city. I don't even hear the crickets, they fear being shot as well.

"The overlord" (of what the nearest public latrine?)

You ARE a completely WITHOUT a single clue and no thanks to me you ARE completely stupid.

What frightens me most is that you think attacking is always the answer, whether it be rhetorically or with your handgun. You my friend should not be allowed anywhere near a gun. I prefer to be stupid than buy into your version of wisdom.

All you dimwits who are bitching about FOX news should explain to the rest of us why the other "news organizations" felt the need to alter the audio and video of Zimmerman. Oh yeh, they wanted to make him look bad so enhance their "news" stories. Talk about phony unreliable news sources!!

The biggest bunch of liars in "gun control" Are the Brady Bunch and Bloomberg.

I suspect that Dan Gross, the organization's president, just reinforced that when he declared that "George Zimmerman is the NRA".

I'm sure he thought he was being clever by using a metaphor, but unless we can get some proof that George Zimmerman was actually a member of the NRA, stating that out loud makes him little more than a common liar. Which means that he's probably an average, all-around dirtbag, too.

What, pre tell, are you referring to? Talk about pandering 'phony unreliable news' tidbits! And, for this NRA gentleman who's proferring that murders happen everyday and Trayvon's case may have been blown out of proportion by the media; in relation to the hundreds of crimes and lives lost each and every day?

What if Trayvon had been his son? Perhaps, he and the NRA can take up a new cause and begin focusing on all of the criminal activity and crimes in the USofA and reporting it to all of us! Especially those related to guns!

Right! And, we can all begin whistling Dixie!

I am not anti-NRA, nor anti- 'Stand your ground' laws. However, I did forget to mention that George Zimmerman is a coward! He was not assigned to provide any services in his compound where volunteer neighborhood watch members are not armed; and, he was advised to 'stand down' by the Police 911 Operator. Oddly, he not only ended Trayvon's life, he ended his way of life as he has known it!

The NRA can shut their traps on this one. A young teen was murdered by Zimmerman, and that is the beginning and the end of this story! There have been way too may casualities....

noelle certainly seems to know it all. Unusual to say the least for someone who was NOT there and knows NOTHING about the facts of the case.

How much money does the NRA receive from gun manufacturers?

I just finished reading a comment by AddisonDewitt to an article entitled: Bill Cosby compares Obama to Sisyphus rolling rock up the hill” The commenter lists BHO’s accomplishments. Very enlightening:

These guys would say red is green and twice on Sundays.

Look at the wording on the vote: 50% voted for something written like "people are gunned down every day ...so what is different in this case?".

As though it is OK for people young and old, walking out to the corner store to be shot dead!

Hey - it's OK till it is YOUR child, spouse or parent.

Time to be DONE with ALEC's Stand Your Ground, Shoot First laws, now in 23 states.

Noelle, Fat chance of Trayvon being shot if he was LaPierre's kid, he would have been packing and would know how to use it properly! Not like this fool Zimmerman,did. I think what the NRA is saying is that there is so much attention to this tragic story alot of terrible gun crimes are overlooked. Such as the murder rate in Congressman, and former Black Panther Co-founder,Bobby Rush's district in Chicago. Guns are illegal to carry and purchase in Chicago and there are no firing ranges. Yet that doesn't deter the gun violence in Jesse Jackson Sr's southside or Bobby Rush's Westside. Yet these two are the ones shooting their mouths off for justice for Trayvon Martin! They cannot clean their own house so their gonna tell someone else how to clean theirs? The NRA wants Zimmerman to stand trial and be fried if he is guilty make no mistake. They're not gun nuts,those would be the criminals running loose in Rush and Jacksons neighborhood. The Media may actually blow the case for a conviction,they will print anything,sensitive to the case or not. You got Nancy Grace with a 911 tape of Zimmerman saying...f---ing Coons,and she's convinced it's true. Today's Chicago SunTimes has Dade County prosecuter's review of the tape saying Zimmerman did in fact say,"f---ing Punks" ! The last thing you need is any kind of sympathy for this guy that will reinforce his right to stand his ground! The media wants another "circus" like they had with OJ and doesn't give a damn about justice. It's early evening,Saturday night in Chicago now, I'll get back to you tomorrow about how many were shot over night. Where will the media be for the future victims?

Neither the media, the NRA, nor even the public have any business trying this case. If the evidence were as cut and dried as either side portrays, this would not be in the national spotlight. I only know that if we as United States citizens can not hope to be considered innocent until tried by the courts then any of the other 'Rights' come into question. So, in the event that MR Z in found not guilty, on whose head will the deaths and injurys resulting from the riots be placed?

When the concealed carry law was proposed here in Ohio the opponents of the measure swore that if the law passed then the streets would "run red" with blood from shootouts sparked by minor traffic accidents or someone cutting another driver off!!! They said that in every single state that had enacted a CCW law had seen their murder rates go up by more than 300% in the first year alone and that all studies pointed to those numbers going up by 35% a year from there on out!!

I have yet to see a case where a traffic incident or fender bender has led to a shootout!! I have not seen where there has been shooting after shooting by CCW holders because they were paranoid about the person who is walking behind them or who is walking up on their porch! I have however seen where there have been countless non CCW holders who have shot and injured/killed innocent people with guns that they did not purchase legally!!! I have also noticed several riots around the Cincinnati and Cleveland area due to police shooting unarmed JUVENILE black males!!!!!

The way I see it is that those who are opposed to a law that allows a person to protect themselves without them having to find some manner in which to flee the area to get away from a criminal first are supporters of something that goes like this; People have no need or right to preserve their life by means of using any type of firearm, they should drop everything and run, run from their house, garage, car, boat, porch or anywhere else they may be. Protecting peoples live is what we pay the police for and if you happen to have a criminal with a gun or knife, baseball bat, stick, beer bottle, poker, whip or ham bone getting ready to kill or rape you then you just need to suck it up and wait for the police to get there and protect you from the criminal who is about to end your life or rape you, after all that is what they are paid for, right? If you happen to die then the police are paid to investigate your death as well, they may or may not solve your murder, but that is beside the point, because everyone will be safer in the mean time and the cops will be doing what they are paid to do, to be everywhere there is a crime and prevent them from happening and when they cannot be everywhere at every minute to prevent and protect then they will earn their wages by investigating the rapes and murders that they couldn't be there to prevent and protect people from!

George Zimmerman it appears went beyond the scope of what the stand your ground law protects, meaning he BROKE THE LAW!!!! Therefore he should be charged and given a trial to let jurors decide if he did indeed break the law! If found guilty then he should be sentenced accordingly and then it should be done with!! I know that that isn't good enough for some people, the Casey Anthony thing showed that people simply are not happy with our system and they want a system that guarantees a 100% conviction rate for anyone who is charged with anything (except for themselves, they are innocent, everyone else is guilty) but in the mean time Mr. Zimmerman should be ran thru the current system and let it go at that and not throw the baby out with the bath water when it comes to the right of law abiding citizens to defend themselves from great bodily harm, rape or death at the hands of some POS criminal who could care less about what the law has to say about their legal status when it comes to them possessing a gun!!! If the people who are hooting so much about responsible people and gun ownership are that concerned about their safety and they feel that at any moment someone who is carrying a concealed weapon is going to just whip it out and blow them full of holes then they should consider moving somewhere else on the planet to another country, like China, East Timor or Japan where private ownership of firearms is strictly forbidden and then they will feel safe from all of the roving gunslingers here in the USA!! Better yet they should start a revolution and overthrow the government and write a new constitution, one that forbids gun ownership and CCW laws and also does away with things like any chance in hell that someone can defend themselves from any kind of charges they may face in a court of law and secure a conviction every single time!! Wouldn't that be fancy!!!

@kmb-628184

Every case is entitiled to National attention.

Ummm, why is that? So people can get all riled up over half truths and speculation?

This case was not fair and Z was almost completly let free without any accountability.

How the hell do you know? Where you there? Do you have some sort of first hand knowledge? No, you're just speculating like everyone else.

And it was a child who was killed.

And it was a "child" who was arrested for viciously beating two virtually defenseless elderly people, what's your point?

THis is how changes are made; by cases like this.

No, this is how knee jerk reactions are made. Only fools believe you can make laws and rules that take into consideration every conceivable situation.

And I get really tired of people using black criminals for a defense as white gangs also commit these types of crimes and many others as well

I thought this was how "changes are made"? I suppose you only hate it when it's a story that makes you uncomfortable. Black people kill white people 4 times as often as it happens the other way around but those stories never garner national media attention. I'm tired of the media telling the story that suits them so that people like you can get riled up over one thing while not being forced to confront another.

You really think it's more "sensational" than that story which wasn't even mentioned by the national media?

Sure it is, Zimmerman shot Martin and a thorough investigation was foregone due to a ridiculous law (and likely his family connections) that shouldn't exist. The initial investigator said Zimmerman should have been charged but he was let go while Martin was in the morgue for 3 days without his family being notified even though the police reports show that they knew who the victim was. Even in this case the NRA tossed Zimmerman under the bus saying the protections of Stand Your Ground should not apply as he put himself in the situation. I think the NRA tossed his ass under the bus more political reasons than their actual view of the situation, but then they go and make ridiculous statements like this that make them look like the shady backroom shills they are. The national uproar was about shoddy police procedures and accountability as Zimmerman was not charged with the homicide and let go. Homicide is a crime and it is the job of the jury in situations like this to determine whether it was justified or if it was murder/manslaughter.

Chris82mil

The national uproar was about shoddy police procedures and accountability...

ROTFLMAO! Gee, if that's the case then I wonder why there isn't a new story about "shoddy police procedures" EVERY FRIGGIN DAY! You can't honestly believe this is some rare isolated incident of the police not doing there job properly can you?

Homicide is a crime and it is the job of the jury in situations like this to determine whether it was justified or if it was murder/manslaughter.

Homicide is NOT automatically a crime as you seem to realize otherwise how could it be potentially "justified". Killing someone in self defense is homicide, it's not a crime anywhere in this country and no one should EVER be arrested for it. Perhaps you skipped class the day they were teaching about our legal system. We have a system that insures that if an error is made it favors the accused so as to avoid falsly imprisoning an innocent person. Would you rather it be the opposite? Would you rather they tossed Zimmerman in jail only to later realize it was Martin who was the aggresor? Somehow I suspect you would and how sad that is.

LMAO you apparently have no idea how the legal system works or what constitutes a crime. Self defense is not an automatic justification of a homicide. In most cases if the homicide occurs outside ones home/property you will be held while an investigation takes place to determine if self defense can be justified. One can get bail in most of these cases so that they may continue to work and take care of their families while the investigation proceeds if they aren't deemed a flight risk, but a thorough investigation should occur in EVERY case. In this case procedures where thrown out the window and favors were called in... that's what the uproar was about. There is no way given the same evidence 2 attorneys would come to polar opposite conclusions like they did in this case if there weren't favors called in.

This is not a case of "stand your ground", if you think following someone and provoke them, then pull your gun and justify everything, then you are sadly mistaken.

What Zimmerman had is a case of "generalization", he clearly said it on the tape that "these people keep getting away with it".

What Zimmerman had is a case of "generalization", he clearly said it on the tape that "these people keep getting away with it".

Plus no visible scars from the beating he claims he received. I find that hard to believe, but hey, i'm not on the jury. Let the facts present themselves.

What Zimmerman had is a case of "generalization", he clearly said it on the tape that "these people keep getting away with it".

And you know what or who he meant by "these people"? Was he speaking about teenagers, criminlals, gang members? why do you assume his comment was about race?

Tony. There were scars. Go to Fox News for a fair and balanced story on the Martin/Zimmerman case because you probably missed the 2 second MSNBC retraction on that point.

Zimmerman's flawed interpretation of the stand your ground law is the problem. He felt over-empowered to shoot anybody he felt like because of the color of their skin.

@ Sam - Why not all of the above (Black, hoodie-wearing, criminal/ganster looking teenagers)? Apparently to Zimmerman, that is what Travon Martin looked like. Regardless of what he thought, Zimmerman had NO RIGHT to confront or provoke ANY young man simply walking out of a convenience store -- particularly with NO ALARM expressed by the store clerk -- when he was NOT law enforcement and in fact was specifically TOLD by law enforecment to NOT CONFRONT the young man, even if Zimmerman thought the teenager looked "suspicious." Zimmerman was an IDIOT to follow, confront and provoke a fight with Martin in the first place. Martin was not breaking into anyone's house, provoking a fight with Zimmerman, running from the convenience store with the clerk screaming "Stop! Police!" or trying to kidnap Zimmerman's children or steal his car. In my humble opinion, this was NOT a case where a "Stand your Ground" defense should apply, regardless of the NRA or that law.

Actually, I stopped watching ALL the talking heads but when I was watching, Fox News gave a much more balanced report. MSNBC with the likes of Rachel Maddow were totally biased!

I DO think the media made this into something that was intended to divide the country even more. Add Jackson and Sharpton to the mix and we have chaos. Now the new Black Panthers are placing a bounty on Zimmerman's head. How sick is THAT??

Atticus you do realize that fox was sued by some of their own reporters for being denied the right to tell the truth about monsanto

This has nothing to do with the Stand Your Ground Law, or at least the spirit of the law. Zimmerman gave up his rights under that law when he ignored the dispatcher and continued after Martin. From what I can discern from the information I have seen, Zimmerman belongs in prison. And for what its worth, I'm an NRA member.

LB-3426829

I dont think it had to do with skin color as much as anger, out of control and instability. After all he also has a domestic abuse history and that wasnt about race....It is his personality

LINDA, Fox news is one side just as some of the other stations are for the other party. IF you really want fair and balance as you claim; than watch more than just the fox news or you will never get it! You can always tell which station people watch by what they are saying as it is sooooo extreme. You didnt even have to tell us it was FOX because you sounded just like them. Extreme views rather than a balanced approach...

The news media has made it about race. How many stories would get that much airtime/press if the races were reversed?

If you all have the time to copy and paste and do a small amount of typing I will show you what I have found and how the media is being bias in this case. Sadly I can't copy and paste links. Did you know that there is a so called secret witness out there that had seen the whole fight and was interviewed by a reporter a day after the shooting that paints a different picture from what the media has been telling you? copy and paste in google (secret witness in the zimmerman case) and a bunch of clippings and articles should come up. Next is on youtube copy and paste or type (George zimmerman 911 call about trayvon martin UnRedacted) As everyone knows youtube is a great place to find a whole bunch of old news reports and interviews. I don't know how exactly i came across this but i guess the title will say it all copy and paste (Trayvon's father: Said that wasn't my son screaming) in the begining the video is silent because there are pictures of Martin added to the slide after that is interviews and reporters reporting this clipping is 3:45. Last one I have is a very well put together site that expresses sypathy for both sides although this site just wanted to bring up something the media isn't wanting us to see. So please try not to take offense to the title copy and paste in google (Is Trayvon Martin a gangster is George Zimmerman being deamonized. All i'm asking when posting this is that people please keep an open mind and wait for the trial to start before casting harsh judgments and Don't trust everything that the Media is Saying becaue they are so bias and twisting information to suit their own story.

Mr. LaPiere mentioned the young mother here in OK that killed the intruder, he had broken into her home; Travon Martin was merely walking back to dad's girlfriend's home when Mr. Zimmerman took it upon himself to be judge and jury and shot Travon. If there had been a fight as Mr. Zimmerman's former atty's maintain Travon's knuckles would have been scarred, and the undertaker said there was NO indication of scarring or anything indicating he had been in a fight. Yes, I read the news and have paid particular attn to it. Oh yeah, I'm a caucasion, non-gunowner, and definitely not a supporter of NRA.

neku samurai - so a 1997 case is your proof that a news agency can't report fairly? You are saying that in 15 years nothing has changed? If so, then I guess MSNBC will almost always write stories based on incomplete and ignored facts with a slant to a liberal/progressive agenda, right?

It's amusing to see so many people so riled up about one case.

ONE CASE.

Remember, if saintly Trayvon had been white, you NEVER would have heard this story on the news.

Ditto for the blacks killing blacks. Or blacks killing whites.

Jesse and Al don't get all whipped up about those cases, do they?

You're all being played for utter fools, and your accusatory postings and statements about laws and the NRA are ignorant and reactionary beyond belief. Your FEELINGS have nothing to do with this case and thankfully the law.

Zimmerman shot the kid. It's a statistic. If he's found guilty, he'll pay according to the law.

American that is absolutely correct they are liberal biased never said that they weren't just that if you think that fox is "fair and balanced" and have no bias you are wrong period

The aspect of being able to shoot dead an intruder in your home, even if you don't see a weapon, is what it should be, if that is even in there. I don't see how any law can make it legal in a public place, if you are the one who brought about the situation. Confronting someone when you are armed is for the police and not the rest of us. I cannot see how any law could be written or construed to legalize such wanton negligence and endangerment. A charge of manslaughter should be required by the laws in such a situation. We all deserve the right to walk on a sidewalk, or in any other public place, without being accosted by some gun toting idiot.

Why the hell should I be required to run instead of fighting to protect my loved ones or property ???? Like in my state of Massa(Deval)chusetts and 27 others , WHY ??????

Watch out NRA....Mr. Obama has voiced his "extreme" displeasure of ANYONE questioning the media about any of this Administration's policies or agenda.

Note: Mr. Obama made a judgement call on National TV concerning the Martin case BEFORE he had ANY facts of the case, only judgemental media reports.

Second Note: the Kangaroo Court continues.

Ido, those are both lies. I know you know that, I just wanted to make it clear for the casual reader that you are lying.

I am a white gun owner, and have been for 55 of my 65 years, I have never been a fan of the NRA. I feel they have really damaged our country and should be ashamed of themselves for promoting all this gun violence, the second amendment has nothing to do with individual gun ownership, it's about duly constituted militias having weapons. If it wasn't for the NRA and their rabid gun owner fetish, we would have a lot less death by fire arms. Also Zimmerman is completely guilty for killing Trayvon Martin. He was armed, he stalked Trayvon, against police orders, confronted him, also against police orders, and murdered when he tried to defend himself. I hope he is never granted bail.

The NRA has been the chief backer of Stand Your Ground laws, so of course the NRA would feel this way. I don't care what they feel or think. I care that a 17 year old lost his life because of an idiot caring a gun. I care more about how the Martin family feels. Nice of them to be so unconcerned about Trayvon and the Martin family.

Lin nil, you missed the point. The same thing is happening all over the country. Why is Martin so special and the others of no value?

I will add this. If the role was reversed, where Martin killed Zimmerman, it would have never ever made any headlines.

The Trayvon Martin case is much more than just a vigilante stalking a black young man, assuming he's doing something wrong, then killing him. And your all right murders happen much too often for this one to be special.

For me it's more about what happens after the crime has been committed. Shooter sits on the ground, police come and detain shooter for a short awhile and he's taken in for questioning. Then some thing miraculous happens the shooter is believed by police and the DA and released. No due process, no collection of evidence, no investigation. Ask yourselves this how come two state prosecutors come to such a distinct opinion of the same case?

You can blame the media if you want, but were it not for them this would have been a case of another dead young black man.

ST. LOUIS -- A top National Rifle Association official on Saturday accused the media of sensationalizing the Trayvon Martin case and ignoring other crimes that happen across the country every day.

Hell, there were a couple of networks that played doctored tapes of the 911 call to make Zimmerman look like a racist. Its a no brainer that the media played this one up. I think Zimmerman is guilty of pursuing Martin when he should not have...We will have to see what the evidence suggests as this case goes forward as to what his punishment should be. One thing for sure, he is already a marked man, no matter how this all went down. But as long as Libs can use this as an issue, its all worth it, right?

tonybeeerm "Plus no visible scars from the beating he claims he received. I find that hard to believe, but hey, i'm not on the jury. Let the facts present themselves."

The police apparently took pictures of Zimmerman's injuries shortly after the incident, including a bruise on the back of his neck and facial injuries, which will no doubt be used by the defense, but yes - 'Let the facts present themselves'.

My personal view is that this case is a 'Politically Correct' prosecution that may never make it to a jury, but it's going to be pretty tough for the prosecutor to prove that Zimmerman intended to kill Trayvon without provocation (2nd Degree Murder).

George Lahozvia Facebook

The Trayvon Martin case is much more than just a vigilante stalking a black young man, assuming he's doing something wrong, then killing him. And your all right murders happen much too often for this one to be special.

over 4000 Blacks are killed annually by Blacks so NO it is not all right that murders happen EVERY DAY and no one takes notice. That includes Al, Jesse and the POTUS.

For me it's more about what happens after the crime has been committed. Shooter sits on the ground, police come and detain shooter for a short awhile and he's taken in for questioning. Then some thing miraculous happens the shooter is believed by police and the DA and released. No due process, no collection of evidence, no investigation. Ask yourselves this how come two state prosecutors come to such a distinct opinion of the same case?

Seems the police collected plenty of evidence and an investigation.. The MARTINS made this out to be a lack of investigation because they weren't getting answers fast enough or what they wanted to hear. Then THEY made it a race issue by going to the "Reverends". Race is a lightening rod word and always will be so long as we allow those pulling the strings to continue being puppet masters.

You can blame the media if you want, but were it not for them this would have been a case of another dead young black man.

That sums it up entirely. It WAS the death of another young Black man. This was the RARE exception (6%) where it was a NON Black killing a Black vs a Black killing a Black (94%). It could even be argued it was the 2.1% rarity if we consider George to not be white. That may sound crass but those ARE THE FACTS. The only thing special here, other than Florida Law, is that it was the rare instance rather than the usual. They turned this into man gets pregnant rather than man gets woman pregnant. Yes every life is precious. This one no more so than others. Where is the outcry for the other 4000 plus Blacks and 4000 plus Whites and few hundred others?

Key Facts from the transcript and statements of witnesses;

• Zimmerman calls police about a suspicious person, follows him at a distance and calls police.

• Police dispatcher tells him an officer will be sent.

• Trayvon first starts approaching Zimmerman, then runs.

• Zimmerman tells dispatcher he lost contact with Trayvon.

• Zimmerman arranges to meet an officer at the mailboxes, near his truck, and hangs up.

• A confrontation occurs, wherein Zimmerman claims he was attacked from behind.

• A struggle ensues, and an eye witness says they see Trayvon on top, beating on Zimmerman.

• The eye witness heads down to help their neighbor (Zimmerman) and hears a shot.

• When the police arrive, Trayvon is dead and Zimmerman has injuries consistent with a beating.

By bet is that the State's case is exceedingly weak, and a conviction is unlikely.

Here's a link to the Transcript, for all to read;

http://phoebe53.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/zimmerman-911-call-transcript-trayvon-martin/

"The New Black Panthers", what a crock. From all indications it's a made up pile of BS and lies. It was put out the to inflame little minds. I guess it worked. I can't believe how many people have worked themselves into a frenzy over that one. I think people who hate black people don't need another reason to hate. The fact that they exist is enough for them. The "NBP" is just a stupid joke that weak minded people have bought into.

KarlStevens....Not all. It is quite possible to be a gun owner who does not worship guns and does not worship the NRA. I have been a gun owner all of my life. I no longer hunt by choice, but respect those that do. I still enjoy guns and shooting, but do not worship them. The NRA is a dangerous group of very sick, power hungry people, they remind me of Germany in the 30's. Not all gun owners are gun nuts. I support reasonable restrictions and have no fears of the government taking my weapons. We must act to keep nut cases and criminals from getting their hands on guns and that means much more control in the sale and possession of guns. 40% of all gun sales in this country do NOT have any background check at all ! 40 % ! That has to stop, and stop now.

"George Zimmerman is the NRA," the group's president, Dan Gross, said in a statement earlier this week. "And Florida's 'Shoot First, Ask Questions Later' law and the paranoid mentality it promotes are products of the NRA's vision for America, where just about anybody can get and use a gun just about anywhere."

Utter and complete bull@!$%#. This statement is disingenuous at best if not a outright lie. Mr Gross should hide his head in shame. He should go speak at farms. At least then the farmers could save loads of money on fertilizer.

Polls have shown when you watch Fox news you are about 30% dumber for watching fake news. They give false info to obtain a means to an end. When you know facts...but choose to ignore them to move forward your agenda...YOU ARE KNOWN AS A LIAR!

Thank You Roy Wilson--finally some FACTS, rather than suppositions and conclusions that are wrong.

If Zimmerman is as bad as the mainstream media indicates that he is, why would he even place a call to the

police in the first place.

He initial conversation with the dispatcher had noted there already had been robberies in the neighborhood, so his job as a neighborhood watch captain would have made him more suspicious.

He indicates that he lost contact with Martin---since grass stains were found on Zimmerman's back, wouldn't a likely scenario be that somehow Martin, fearing for his life, attacked Zimmerman, who then in turn, feared for his life--thus each could claim self defense. Neither could have known what the the other had for weapons--gun, knife or as Zimmerman reported, Martin slammed his head to the ground and broke his nose. People have died from having their head slammed to the ground. Zimmerman may have pulled the gun when he realized HIS life may have been in danger ( or possibly Martin tried to take the gun from Zimmerman, wherein Zimmerman shot him--again fearing for his life ). Why doesn't this scenario sound feasible??

The dispatcher telling Zimmerman that he doesn't NEED to pursue Martin, is totally different than telling that he CANNOT pursue Martin

Well Roy, that is about half of the phone conversations taking place at that time.

It's interesting to read all of the legal experts who write on this site. The biggest problem with this situations was that at the outset the police chief clearly stated that he was not going to charge Zimmerman with any crime, and without a charge there was going to be no investigation.

starsailing If you only listen to one news source, you are lost. EVERY media outlet puts their own spin on stories. Especially this site. Try reading the same story from 10 different news sources, including FOX and you will get a better understanding of what really happened. Remember each writer has an opinion of what really happened.

Everyone on here knows that George Zimmerman isn't white right? He is Hispanic. The news media is just saying he is white/Hispanic to make it about race and one news media just called him white at point. This is about a Hispanic man killing a Black man in self defense. After hearing George's story about thwarting break ins and being the only one brave enough to be on the neighborhood watch and dedicate his free time to making his area safer for everyone. I'm hoping the guy gets a medal at the end of this. Our society gives Hispanics a hard time for a lot of things but here we got a Hispanic male who is acting like a true American and even though I'm white I'm rooting for the guy. I'm not racist at all, so I could care less what color anyone is in anything, but I'm surprised he isn't getting more support from the Hispanic community because his actions as an American and willingness to help others is making them all look a ton better or at least should be. If this is a race debate though does that mean black people are racist against Hispanics now or is it arguing Hispanics are racists against black people? Neither one of them was white so it isn't white vs. black in any way. I've seen the picture, maybe if your color blind he might look white.

Odd that the NRA is accusing the media of sensationalization of this case, perhaps because the case is about a black youth being shot and the person who did the shooting thought he was or is trying to be covered under the 'stand your ground' law, a law they no doubt pushed to be passed in the first place and secondly because they probably are worried that this shooting highlights their influence in pushing the the proliferation of open and concealed carry weapons and just weapons in general imo.

Why wasn't the NRA accusing the media of their intensive and incessant coverage of the Holloway case where that young woman disappeared and whose body has never been found? This media coverage in this case went on for over a year or more and was even made into a movie. Nobody was complaining then, but perhaps that was because the victim was a young blond white female?

How about the OJ Simpson case? Look how many years that has been covered? Yet again could it be that that was because the victim was another young blond white female and her companion?

How about that case where that young white female was kidnapped/disappeared, last name of Smart if I remember correctly. Of course she was from a wealthy family also... so there is also that component to the case.

How about the Casey Anthony case... didn't that also go on for ever, yet no one was complaining about the media coverage then and even now for that matter. Look at all the media frenzy that surrounded that case? Was and is that due to the fact that it was a white child that was killed even though in the final analysis the child's death was by the child's mother and her supposed negligence, rather than the child being taken by the 'hispanic' woman who the mother initially accused of taking her child?

Here we have a young black teenage male returning home from buying skittles and ice tea for his brother(?) and himself, and was shot dead as he made his way back to the house in the community where he was staying.

The dead lad's family refused to give up and just accept the story they were being given by the serve and protect folks, of their young son's death as just another unavoidable righteous kill - and supposedly an outcome which their son was supposed to have brought on himself, rather they instead wanted the person who did the shooting to answer to the killing of their son.

Is the NRA and others trying to say that this young black teenage boy and his death should not matter and should not be commented on or reported about in the media for any length of time much less being the center of media attention for such a long time, and even garnering worldwide attention because he was not important enough as he did not look like them, was not one of them and thus not as important as one of their own children like a Holloway or a Smart or a OJ Simpson ex-wife and her friend or even like the Anthony child?

Are these gun/weapons enthusiasts and lobbiest of the belief that the death of this lad due to gun violence should not matter perhaps because he was just another young black youth who died a violent death, just like all of the other unimportant young black youths and other minorities these days, who die due to gun violence at the hand of others and thus should not be investigated or reported upon, just because of their status as minorities or because of their financial and social status? If so why?

Why are some folks perpetuating the idea that this young lad's death should not be important to anyone other than his parents, and trying to give the impression or state that his violent death was his fault due to his appearance and what he was wearing, and that the boy caused his own death because he picked a fight with his shooter rather than the shooter picked a fight with the now dead youth?

Why are they trying to give the impression or state that the lad was not stalked by a gun toting overzealous neighborhood watch person, who should have known better and have shown better judgement than he did that night that he ended the life of an unarmed youth who was minding his own business, walking back home in a neighborhood where he was supposed to be ?

What if it was your child or relative that was the victim i.e. shot to death by the same sort of overzealous neighborhood watch person or even by the authorized serve and protect folks/police? Wouldn't you want the case investigated to the fullest, the person arrested and firearm taken from that person or if it was by the police that the officer is taken off the streets until a full investigation is done?

One last thing... just like the masses have become tired of the wars, they can eventually become tired of the gun violence and decide that enough is enough and start a push back on these gun laws and weapons proliferation. Also after a while these weapons may just go out of fashion like every thing else that has lost its/their appeal.

Peace....

I know of a case where a parent 'stood their ground' and shot their own son dead coming home late from a date. I feel less safe knowing there are gun carrying idiots like that.

I would also feel very unsafe if my state were Federally mandated by the right wing nuts in Congress to recognize the concealed weapons permits of other states here. I stand my ground and say, "Keep your gun laws out of my state!"

Before you ever heard the names Trayvon and Zimmerman, how many of you ever heard the term "Stand Your Ground" ??....I'll wager very few....The law was enacted in Florida in 2005...that's 7 years ago. After losing in Heller and Heller2, Anti-gun nuts have seized on this one shooting to go after SYG. Here is the Statute:

"The new law codified in Florida Statutes 776.013(3)(2006) states:

A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity, and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.

This new law expands upon Florida's preexisting castle doctrine and permits one to stand their ground anywhere. Florida Statutes 776.032(1) then holds in pertinent part:

A person who uses force as permitted in s. 776.012, s. 776.013, or s776.031 is justified in using such force and is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action for the use of such force..."

It basically did 2 things....repealed the Onerous "Duty to Retreat" requirement, the burden of proof was on the defendant to "prove" they tried to get away first. Any prosecutor worth their salt could place some doubt in the jury, saying that the defendant "could have tried harder to get away" Don't forget, it's the Prosecutors job to get a conviction.

Secondly, it prohibited civil lawsuits against someone cleared of charges in a "Justifiable Homicide", No matter how much of a nice guy the relatives of the dead guy thought he was.

It remains to be seen if Zimmerman's fear of "great bodily harm" SYG claim is valid.

vwterry "Well Roy, that is about half of the phone conversations taking place at that time...It's interesting to read all of the legal experts who write on this site. The biggest problem with this situations was that at the outset the police chief clearly stated that he was not going to charge Zimmerman with any crime, and without a charge there was going to be no investigation."

Posting the entire '911' transcript would have been too lengthy and violated the Conduct Code, so I summarized the key points, but I put a link to the entire transcript for those who wished to read it. I think most reasonable people, after reading the transcript, would agree with my summary.

There WAS an investigation and evidence was gathered - and Zimmerman was taken to the police station for questioning. It was only AFTER the investigation that a decision was made not to file any charges.

Mike in Delray

Thanks for the summary of the SYG law - It should put things in perspective for everybody that really cares about the truth.

It's interesting that the law also prohibits Civil lawsuits. That will make it very difficult for Trayvon's family to collect civil damages, which seems to be their focus now, after 'Trademarking' his name and image.

I still think that this is a 'Politically Correct' prosecution to tamp down racial tempers until after the November elections, and that the case will likely never make it to a jury.

.

Isn't it interesting? Some people here make some really hateful remarks and their comments do not get collapsed. Some people speak about the possible innocence of Martin and the unbelievable claims of Zimmerman and they do get collapse. Perhaps this site should rethink it's policy.

These greedy b....... only care about their bottom line. There have been an increasing number of murders of innocents since those stupid laws were passed. Who gives a darn about them thinking this case was sensationalized . I say it brought attention to the irresponsible laws that they paid their minions to pass, and it is innocent men, women and children who are being killed. I hope they enjoy all the death and destruction they have caused , wallowing in all those ill-gotten gains.

The NRA strongly champions the notions to "stop the criminals, not the guns", and they claim to support the proper use and handling of firearms. Wonderful ideas, but will they put their money where their mouth is?

Will the NRA therefore campaign for a mandatory sentence of, say, 25 years without parole, for anybody using a gun in the perpetration of a crime? And will they commit the same number of dollars campaigning for such a mandatory sentence as they do campaigning to allow town-watch civilians to use fully automated, large magazine assault weapons?

Will the NRA campaign for required training in the proper use and handling of firearms? Will they commit as many dollars to provide such training as the do in the election of legislatures who reject any legal remedies for improper gun use?

Just imagine the headline: "NRA Spends Millions To Outlaw Abuse of Firearms" or "NRA Defeats Nominee Opposed to Ban on 'Middle-East-type Celebratory Air Shots'".

Jibarro, # 5.50, It is contributers to this forum that collapse the postings, not "the site". And any objective count will show that liberal comments require more venom than conservative comments to get collapsed by the "community" of posters.

If the NRA is backing Zimmerman and his lawers, hes gonna walk..........Let the catfight begin!Stand your ground!!!

Roy,

The portion of the phone conversations I was referring to was the one taking place between Martin and his female friend. To show the big picture that side must be placed in the same timeline.

The Sanford police did not do an investigation in the true sense. There were no photos taken of Zimmermans injuries, there was no medical evidence taken and held, there was no blood alcohol or drug tests done on Zimmerman (although there was one done on Martin). There was a short detention of Zimmerman but he was subsequently released after too short a period for an in depth investigation which is normally done in the case of a shooting death.

The original Orlando Sentinel article:

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-03-26/news/os-trayvon-martin-zimmerman-account-20120326_1_miami-schools-punch-unarmed-black-teenager

The initial Sanford Police report:

Read pages 2 and 3 very carefully....

http://mit.zenfs.com/102/2012/04/69081607-29132322.pdf

KevinT, what makes this case so special is the police believed the shooter, didn't give him a drug test and took a godawful time arresting him. If he had been arrested immediately or within a couple of days we wouldn't have been hearing about this. The difference is in the other cases, they have put out arrest warrants for suspects and arrested them or are still looking for them. I have no idea about guilt or innocense in the Martin/Zimmerman case, I wasn't there but if there is a secret eye-witness as someone claims I don't trust that source at all either. We've all heard of cases where someone was proven innocent by DNA after an eyewitness got them put behind bars for years. Some people love the attention and don't care if they're ruining the life of someone. The NRA needs to shut the hell up, sick of hearing from them they're talking about this case to a media source so they're adding to the constant attention this case is getting.

After all this time... The NRA - finally has something to say. And suprise - its that the case has been sensationalize?

I have yet to see the NRA come down on any issue before - other than to insist that Gun control doesn't work. I am starting to see the NRA in a new light. They are less about allowing Americans to maintain the right to have firearms... as to the ablitlty of "some Americans" to have and use firearms with out consequences if they use them incorrectly, for vengence, vigalantism ... I was hoping the NRA would allow this play out in the courts, as they should.

The sensationalizm has been amped up exponentally because they have gotten involved.

It makes you wonder is the NRA is in this for the right reasons ... or if this has always been their agenda?

Every once in a while a case comes up which is so heinous that it makes all of us rethink what is right and what is moral - in a whole new way.

This may be the Waterloo the NRA has deftly avoided ... until now. Are we seeing them for what they really stand for - finally?

I would hope that good sense prevails, that they think this over again and retract this folly. This might be the case the even if they win - will mark the beginning of the end for the NRA. Some crimes and criminals which are indefensible and George is one of them.

Its possible to win a battle which costs so much (in crediblity) that the eventual loss of the war is directly tracable to an ill timed, ill advised decision - such as this one.

George (or someone just like him) could settle on "your" kid the next time...

PeteMT

Remember, if saintly Trayvon had been white, you NEVER would have heard this story on the news.

Ditto for the blacks killing blacks. Or blacks killing whites.

You would never have heard about this case if Trayvon were white because an arrest would have been made immediately. Your use of the adjective "saintly" immediately signals your bias. Trayvon was no saint, but if every teenager who has made his mistakes in judgment were killed, we would have very few kids left.

As for black-on-black violence, you never hear because your preferred news outlets do not cover it. Other outlets do, and I have seen such coverage, as well as specials directly addressing it. In addition, the black community has held many, many marches across the country against black-on-black crime, and prominent black leaders have addressed it often and poignantly.

Blacks killing whites is almost always covered. Cases too numerous to mention, never mind the history of lynching, unfair trials and miscarriages of justice.

Beoweolf, well stated.

The NRA has become the tool of the extreme right. Their incredibly offbase statements about the President are testimony to their political agenda. I think many NRA members are starting to wake up - this is no longer about the right to bear arms, but the right to use them whenever and wherever.

I know a couple of people here in AZ with concealed permits, and they sadly are folks with an agenda.

Their have always been laws allowing people to defend themselves, particularly in their own homes. What has happened now has laws are creating justification for any shooting where someone claims they
felt endangered" and even in cases where they clearly were not. (Example: white man in Texas who, despite warning from 911 operator, stepped outside and shot and killed Hispanic man who was robbing neighbor's house. Clearly not a case that should have been justified, but no charges filed.)

pissedoffinAZ....The old guy in Texas told his neighbor he would keep an eye on his house while he was away......The 2 burglars were illegals...They should have stayed in their own country and they wouldn't have been killed robbing a house in Texas

Pissedoff, why are you trying to use logic, nuance, and historical context on this horde of mouth-breathing trogs. The NRA told these nuckle-draggers which people to aim at back in the 1870s, and their software is still running the same ol' 19th Century kill program their great-great grandpappys handed down to them. White makes right, not equity or communal comradere.

We're a culture based on a series of crimes made to look heroic (or do you know of another country whose inspirational founded was based on whites dressing up as natives to commit an act of vandalism and private property to rebel from their sovereign ruler because the rich profiteers (Sam Adams) could save a few bucks on tea... not food staples, not medicine, not even arms to protect the colonists from the native population THEY PROVOKED... a luxury good, tea).

Why our single greatest act of civil disobedience required white men to dress up like the THUGS of their day (rather than standing proudly as the patriots we claim them to be now) its beyond me, other than to say if you want to commit a crime be sure to blame the other colored guy when you do it. The point is that whiteness is above reproach, and non-whiteness means watch your ass when they start circling wagons (because someone's getting shot, and if its you and youre not white the shootout's gonna be blamed on you on way or another... manifest destiny, supposed inherent criminality, a hoodie, because you have oil and we have nukes, because I have a gun and you may have been suspended from school at some point in your life and therefore you must've done something to deserve this cap I just put in your ass, etc.)

Just pull a Susan Smith; its OK white people, other white people WANT to believe you're innocent. They will protect you. White makes right; black is just smack.

Shoot three or four dozen non-whites. Tell the police it was a horde of gangbangers who jumped you, but you had to drive all over town for them to gang up on you. Tell your friends how big and black and scary they were... how jungle-sounding their music was... how animalistic their sexual glances were (oh my!) when they undressed your white wives with their non-white covetous eyes... Hit every note of the White Supremacists National Athem when you breathlessly tell the cops how threatened you felt when those non-whites dared to look at you like they were just innocently walking down the street; you know better... Tell the cops how you bravely jumped in like Batman and got your ass-kicked like Kick-Ass because you thought your 9mm made you feel invincible, but that ass-whopping made your feel stupid, so you shot the kid because he made you look bad for bringing a gun to a fist fight, and because he was black and you are white its all good 'cause white makes right and black is just talking smack. Your daddy and Uncle Sam got you covered; its the American way.

They just want the right to shoot all the scary peoples that dont look like them... Slaughter the scary non-whites, and let God and a good lawyer straighten it out

Ciewywtb42mh6sps-23....Wow....just wow....."mouth-breathing trogs.... nuckle-draggers... White Supremacists National Athem"...

You are wasting your fiction writing talents here... should be writing screenplay for the next Movie Of The Week on BET.

P.S...it's Knuckle

Burglary is not a death penalty offense.

Being undocumented in this country is not a death penalty.

vwterry..(#5.64)...

"Burglary is not a death penalty offense."...In some States neither is raping and murdering an 11 yr.old girl or 90 yr.old Widow....

"Being undocumented in this country is not a death penalty."...Unless you're the group of Nuns Killed by a 5th time DUI Illegal that wasn't deported....It was a death penalty for them.

Not much more to say than wow.

Before we start with the finger pointing and name calling, I consider myself a liberal, I am a gun owner and I somewhat agree with the claim of the NRA that news media blew this out of proportion, but for different reasons. My only reason to believe that the media blew it is because when so much people was 'informed' by the media (despite their political views), how do you expect an impartial jury to come with a verdict? Zimmerman's attorney is sitting relaxed, because no matter what the prosecution may do, trying to find an impartial jury in this case is going to be almost impossible, thanks to the media lust for information. They blew it by making the recordings public, by opening any venue to the 'reasonable doubt' option (remember that in this type of trials -criminal- the verdict is given beyond 'reasonable doubt.' If the 'reasonable doubt' is already instilled by the media industry by making a mockery out of this, don't get surprised when the jury does not bring a guilty verdict. Instead of letting the investigation run, every media outlet came up with their own theory, argument, etc. Haven't we learned after the Casey Anthony case to wait? Apparently not. So, don't be surprised when this thing blows on everybody's face. And if the jury convicts Zimmerman, he already has secured an appeal based on all the stupid actions of the media, regardless of their political orientation. For them is only profits, justice or the truth for them is irrelevant, it does not bring profits.

Wonderful post. Too bad so many posters here are not bright enough to understand your point.

If they wish to be defenseless cowards, deluded by a false sense of superiority and an even more delusional sense of security and a reactionary loathing of an inanimate object - let them.

As long as truly educated, sane men who value freedom continue to have the majority, we're fine. But the day that turns, we head down a path from which we would never recover.

So here's to you, frightened, deluded, cowardly, misinformed, poorly educated, oft liberal anti-gun nuts. You amuse us, and give us all something to stand against.

Wait, I'm a poorly-educated, cowardly nut because I don't like guns? I'm not "sane" because I don't own a firearm?

Dick.

No Ryan. You don't like guns BECAUSE you are smarter, saner, more intelligent and more secure in your own manhood than the gun lovers who choose to live in fear and paranoia that society is out to get them.

Yeah ok Jersey, hope you still think that way when some slob breaks into your house..

Or when King George III tries to force you back into the British Empire.

Good post Pete..................as you said, many aren't smart enough get the point of the previous poster.

to ryan and jersey. why don't you help me work on a HUD home in the far south side of chicago defenseless. lets see who's paranoid then. the animals will rip your f-ing heart out of your chest after they put a slug in your noggin if you aren't on the up .i can't even defend myself legally because of liberal pussies like yourselves pushing your anti-2nd ammendment agenda. don't push your liberal crap on folks who want to defend themselves legally .

Easy there Mister Wayne LaPierre :

• We the people could push harder for WELL REGULATED. Those two first words on our constitutional amendament.

Now, Mister LaPierre : DO YOU REALLY WANT THE TEXT-BOOK DEFINITION FOR REGULATED ???

Wow, I didn't say a word about other people's rights to own guns, just that I personally don't like guns and don't care to be called a coward for that. However, I'm now a "liberal pussy" on top of that.

To be so afraid that someone is going to take away your precious gun that you viciously insult somebody just for not owning one...I agree, that is paranoia, and probably some kind of manhood problem...

Well said Ryan. My husband and I do own guns. We keep them in a safe and secure place. I know where they are if I need to get at them. As for why the attention on this case. Because, if it had NOT been for young people on social media (YES, THOSE DARN YOUTHS) most in this country would not know about this case. The rest of the world knew about this before most Americans, and they were shaking their collective heads and wondering what the hell was going on here. I see people yelling about Al and Jessie, well guess what numb-nuts, it was those self same young people (high school and college students) that were the driving force behind the original protests. The Martin family attorneys were the ones that asked the aforementioned two people to come and help. The only way that this family was going to get a true accounting of what happened to their son was to make sure that pressure came to bear on the officials in charge. This is the way that things change that new laws get put into place to protect the defenseless. And yes this young man was defenseless. I don't see any one protesting against the Amber alert, or saying that John Walsh needs to go away (Americas most wanted anyone?) or the Mark Klasse (sp) should stop doing what he is for the well being of children. Why is it, that when ANYONE tries to do something for young black children, they need to just go away? As for all of the killing that goes on black on black, if you would bother to pay attention you will see and hear organizations that are trying desperately to do just that. Michael Baisden's mentoring program, Steve Harvey's mentoring program. These are just two of many that are out there trying to teach young black males to have respect for themselves and for others, trying to teach them how to relate to females and NOT act like thugs, there are programs that are trying to get young kids OUT of gangs. But all of that is not going to make a hill of beans of difference if we don't start treating them like their lives mean something. I would have been just as upset had this been a young White male, Latino male or Asian male, because it means that a life of potential was cut short.

See I know what the Martin family is going through, my brother was gunned down and although he was older, his daughter and wife were left with nothing. No justice, no answers, no NOTHING, so I am heartened to see that at least they will finally get some answers.

Guns are mostly toys, that's why I don't own one. I got more important needs, but I would like to know that I can get one legally and defend myself if I need to. I do not favor the stand your ground laws because they are a licence to kill and people should always be responsible for their actions and if we don't like stupid judges that favor criminals then we should get rid of them rather than allowing sick individuals, like Zimmerman, to go around shooting people because he thinks they are suspicious.

As for the violence between blacks, that's just the result of anger, fear and indoctrination. If you are taught to be violent the probability is that you will be violent. I know because I belong to a violent society that believes that a man should solve his problems with other men macho style.

No, Ryan, you are not a "liberal p****y" because you don't like guns. I'm not a fan of them, either, but I will defend, to my death, for the right to carry one and protect myself, unlike some of the people here.

I believe in gun control but not to the extent many others demand.

Didn't I quote:

• Im not afraid of guns, Im afraid of the hands that hold them.

Romney 2012!

Goldcoast-

Is it your contention that an armed German populace would have prevented Hitler from gaining power?? Because that's what your quote from Theodore Haas implies. Please elaborate. I'm interested in hearing a defense of this novel historical revision.

FYI - quotes aren't very good evidence of anything. Just saying. The fallacy you're committing is called appeal to emotion or appeal to authority. Since JFK and George Washington are considerd demi-Gods and Hitler, Castro, and Stalin are considered Satan incarnate the assumption is that they are correct/incorrect in every statement. Disagreeing with JFK or Washington makes someone a pariah by association. It's the same way people on the theism/atheism debate dredge up Albert Einstein quotes.

In reality, they have no relevance unless there is some form of evidence to back up their claims. What Washington says could be true. But it's NOT true simply because he said it. Anyways, I think things have changed since the 18th century and the debate should be centered around the realities of today.

Anyways, how did this thread get to be about the impending doom of the second amendmant??

I thought it was about the NRA complaining about too much news media covering the Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman case and why aren't they focusing on other homicides.

To the NRA - The reason for the attention is because of the circumstances surrounding this case and how it highlights the unintended consequences of the Stand Your Ground laws. People are rightly concerned that a person walking on a public street carrying an ice tea and some skittles wound up shot dead and the person who did the shooting was released within a few hours and the case apparently closed. It's the facts of this case that have cause the furor.

As I've said in other threads, I could care less if this was Swedish hermaphrodite who should an albino muslim or any other combination of race/colour/creed/sex organs. It's what transpired.

i am a gun owner i own several firearms and after 8yrs in the marines i assure you i know how to use them.but i assure you using one will absolutly be my last choice.i also know that decision may have to be made very quickly.but everyone who is monday morning q.bing the martin zimmerman incident let it be said you werent there.what if zimmerman was dead ?would you be outraged? would you be demanding such swift justice?well?

actually ivanho - it is the 'facts' of this case as the media has chosen to distort them that has caused all the sensationalism. Throw in a few nationally known race-baiting public figures and you have the firestorm we have seen since this all started. I don't know what happened - neither does anyone else who was not there. It would be nice if the people who were supposed to uphold the law and enforce it DID the job they are paid to and the media allowed them the time to do it without all the sensationalism. Race relations in this country are in such a sad state and as long as it sells anything they will stay that way.

I am truly sorry that the Martin's lost their son. Every teenager deserves the chance to live a full life and not have it ended in such tragedy. I also think that people trying to look out for their neighbors who take time out of their lives to volunteer for a neighborhood watch program should be properly appreciated for their effort to improve their neighborhood. While I can feel empathy for both sides of this equation - I don't think we will ever know what really happened and I see more protests and violence as the only possible result of the media's coverage of this tragedy. And for this record - it is a tragedy that Trayvon was killed, it was a tragedy that this was not properly investigated BEFORE all the media manipulation, and it is a tragedy that a man who was trying to protect his neighborhood from further burglaries will likely be jailed for what he intended to be 'good' for his neighborhood that turned horridly wrong. But then - I am probably simple-minded enough to still believe there are decent people out there in the world. And while I don't think I'm a 'nut' about it - I do own firearms for home protection.

Although I will completely agree that - quoting someone famous simply for the associative emotional appeal was disengenuous.

str8jkt82....The feeling by most is that if Zimmerman were dead they would have arrested Martin or tried to very quickly. Picture the scene in that police garage if it were Zimmerman in his car ( where he was told to stay ) who was shot dead and Martin had been the one with a gun who shot Zimmerman, I strongly doubt that the Martin would have been strolling around the garage chatting with the cops and then let free without an arrest being made.

Doug ------- you're only half right, about blue sky and green grass however global warming ended in 1998 and was the biggest hoax in the history of mankind, and Obama ----- the only thing he will win is a ticket out of town!

Totally agree with Ivanhoe ...and more than that....Zimmerman needed the gun because he was not man enough to not need one. I have a few guns, muzzle loader and the old mans shotgun. We used to hunt and it put food on the table 40-50 years ago. I don't feel the need to conceal and carry. You are not a cop. You are not Dirty Harry. You are not the saviour of the planet. You are not the vangard of social injustice. Conceal and carry shows you are extremely insecure of being a man. NRA preaches fear of life, you buy more, they get more money, the advertisers get more money. Just like pro fisherman who need every bait in every color thinking it makes them greater than everyone else. Wrong.......Quit living in fear. It is a business, and you are the sucker.

@ivanho75

If you are willing to post your education, work experience, international experience, political experience, and war experience then I will gladly compare your experiences to George Washington’s experiences, John F Kennedy’s experiences, and Theodore Haas’ experiences. If your experiences are stronger than those three individuals then I will gladly believe your statements/opinions over there statements/opinions. I might even quote you. Until then I will listen/read your statements/opinions and respect your thoughts. I have a feeling if someone used a statement of yours to back their opinion then you would be thrilled. Do you believe that the three individuals I quoted said what they said just because and without basing it on anything?

Do I know if an armed civilian population would have prevented or slowed down Hitler from gaining power…I do not know. Why do I not know…because I was not there and it did not happen. Though, Mr. Haas was there in person so I am going to base my opinions off of people who actually were there and lived through it. There are a lot of what ifs in the history of the world. Stalin and Castro did not make those statements before they came to power; they both said them while they were in power.

Do I wish that there would be no need for American citizens not to walk around with guns and have guns in their homes? Yes. Though, if American citizens are not allowed to own and carry guns then who has the guns? The U.S. government and military does. Do you trust every individual in the military and in the government? If you are unsure then ask the German citizens of the 1930s/40s, French citizens of the early 1800s, or you can find plenty of citizens of different countries in Africa to ask.

History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.
-Karl Marx

Why did I throw this thread in here? If you read through the threads you will see plenty of individuals talking about the second amendment and talking about adding more regulations to guns laws. The problem is not too few gun laws the problem is the government can’t enforce all the gun laws we already have. Why…because we have too many to enforce. Plus, the media is covering this way too much and majority are trying to twist it into how they want the outcome to be….NBC tape. Let the police, detectives, lawyers, and judges do their job. In the end there will be justice. The outcome might not be what you, I or other individuals want. Though, we should respect their decisions because they are the experts…not us.

Nah, stand you ground laws are here to stay, because law-abiding people should NOT have to flee, rather than stand and defend themselves when confronted by thugs. Idiot.

Repeal the law it does not matter. If you enter my house un-invited you will be shot!

LMAO at the ones who's biggest argument is stand your ground, apparently you don't read, Zimmerman is the one the who initiated the confrontation on a public street so he has no legal option to use it as defense.

Ooohhhh, tough guy Brad. This didn't happen in anyone's house and besides, I wouldn't visit your house even if I was invited.

It is really unfortunate that this case would even be related to "stand your ground".

Factually this was not a stand your ground situation. Zimmerman sought out a confrontation, and Martin was the one defending himself, rightfully so from a lunatic following him. That simply cannot be applied to stand your ground, which in essence is a good law, providing the right to self defense. Just because certain interest groups on both sides of the question would like to use this to support or detract from "stand your ground" does not mean that factually it has anything to do with it.

This case is nothing but a racist power-tripping lunatic shooting an unarmed kid. This has nothing to do with "stand your ground" and should have no effect on it, nor be used as a test case for it. The police dept. neglected to arrest Zimmerman simply because he was slightly connected, and THEY (police dept) are racist and corrupt to the roots. They tried to cover THIS up by claiming they were unsure about how this related to "stand your ground", but that is nothing but a smoke screen. Anyone knows this has nothing to do with a law abiding citizen using a gun to defend themselves from a conflict they wished to avoid.

I suppose that Tony would kneel and beg for his life were his home invaded by even an unarmed criminal and cry 'please do not harm me, dear fellow man, who values human life, for I am your brother, a fellow human being, and I loathe violence and am repulsed by the thought of guns and the very concept of violence for self defense. Please, I know that you are simply a victim of our society and you are reaching out, you're crying for help, and you don't want to hurt anyone much less rob them, you just want a chance, you want better for your family, please look within yourself and seek the higher moral ground and do the right thing and leave us in peace."

The criminals would be laughing so hard they'd probably forget to rob him.

People have the right to defend themselves already - this law is unnecessary and dangerous.

On another note, did anyone else notice the irony in Wayne reading his outrage from a teleprompter? LMAO.

OKAY!!!!!!!! That was really funny!

But yet, here you are.

Just like every law, it can be abuse. This is what happened in highschool as well, bullies provoke people to attack them and then they have an excuse to to beat the hell out of the victim.

Well good for you brandon. YOU turn and run your little girl ass away when confronted by a thug. The rest of us will use the stand your ground law as the basis for defending ourselves, and likely you, since you have no inclination to do anything other than run.

The "Stand Your Ground" concept of self-defense law was established long ago by Brave men who realized that only Cowards run when confronted with danger.

Hunter sounds like you got your @ss beat in high school and you now pack heat to show how hard you are...what you actually are is nothing but a angry, impotent, loser.

well said Dacapm. A gun against an unarmed person is no match. So who's the little girl ass, hunter? Why that would be you.

Many of us feel that stand your ground does not apply in this case. Of course I hove no clue since I do not have all the evidence. I did not get my ass beat in high school. I was not a thug either but I carry a gun to protect my family and property. I also carry a gun at work to protect the lives and property of my residents. I am a responsible gun owner who will always support laws that can save my family and keep me from going to jail if I protect them.

Yep, let's take away that evil law that lets legal gun owners and law abiding citizens defend themselves and their families because ONE IDIOT shot another probable idiot and some other idiots started associating this with the law in question.

And hypothesizing that someone who supports a sound law is an angry impotent loser? That's so assuming and cowardly and warped that it's almost beneath pity.

If you want to be cowards, go ahead and do so. Cut the name calling and baseless correlations. Let hard men and patriots do what must be done because it's clear that you lack the gonads to do it yourselves.

Provoking a confrontation that leads to the shooting of an unarmed person is what hard men and patriots do? I would call it something else. And didn't Trayvon Martin also have the right to stand his ground when confronted by a maniac? Or is the law only intended to apply to someone who is armed?

Really? And, what "destruction" have they caused? I'm not a member, but I have no problem with an organization that upholds the Constitution.

No sunset, actually, what is responsible for the destruction of this great Republic, are liberals like you, and the liberal agenda you loons continue to attempt to further. America once was a nation of rugged individuals, working hard, with good, strong ethics and values. Today, liberal little turds like you have no sense of personal responsibility, much less any clue about what you`re blathering on about.

@Hunter480, remember the liberal ideal...North Korea, last communist holdout. Even Cuba allows free enterprise for heavens sake. There's a success story for ya...

Hunter480 used the word "liberal" 3 times, and I guarantee you, he still doesn't have a grasp on the definition of the word.

and doesn't realize that this country was more socialistic under the Eisenhower and Reagan administrations than ever was under the current one.

well said, but when it's against the best interest of the paranoid rwnj's, it's called media sensationalism. The NRA feeds off of this and until they're exposed for what they are, we have to deal with it, even though it has nothing to do with the Second Amendment or what these folks think the founding fathers meant. The world has changed a whole bunch since the 1700's.

"The world has changed a whole bunch since the 1700s."

Shame. I was hoping to get myself a gun AND a slave for Christmas this year, too...

And someone who has to make up his own lame words or use non-words of others ("libtard," "Obummer" etc.) isn't exactly demonstrating their own intelligence... more like a sheep's mentality. "Someone said 'libtard,' that's funny right there..." (roll up cigarettes in shirt sleeves)

And what facts do you have huntard480 to back up your calling him a libtard. OH WAIT you didn't cite any you just called names...see I can do that too, doesn't make me right or wrong, just pointing out your utter hypocritical statements. I happen to be liberal and own guns, so I guess not all libtards hate the 2nd amendment.

@standupjokeoff You can probably find yourself a sex slave. The world hasn't changed nearly enough from 1700 unfortunately.

and you are what, Einstein in wolf's clothing? Dude, I probably own more firearms than you'll ever be able to afford. And guess what, I can use them too! How's that for starters. You need to turn off FOx noise and get your fat butt off of the couch because obviously you're sitting on your brains.

The minute anyone uses "sheeple," I lose any interest in what they are saying.

Haha. Kind of like people calling others Hitler, Nazis, or Socialist. You already know their argument is sh!t.

Hunter you are not helping with your name calling.

Yes things a very different from when the second amendment was written. Back then you didn't have a lock on your door and there were not home invasions. They had to protect their family from war. Now we have to protect your family from citizens of this fine country. I will take every step possible to keep someone out of my house. However if they come in then it will be game on.

Hunter have you ever considered counseling because you are appartly dealing with some major anger issues. Calling people names every time they make a comment makes you sound like a 2nd grade bully.

I think you're right about him , Neko. Sounds like a schoolyard kid trying to throw his weight around. I always had an answer for those guys; "Oh yeah? Well my father owns all the baseball card/bubblegum companies and you can't have any"! Brought the tough guys to their knees. Sounds like this whole thread when it went off on the NRA tangent.

What you call "the facts" seem conveniently contrived to portray Zimmerman in a bad light. Other facts that you (and the prejudiced news media) don't mention are that: Zimmerman was under investigation for burglery by the Miami Dade police dept. because of diamond jewerly, wedding bands, watches and a large screwdriver found in his book bag along with a baggie containing marijuana residue (an obvious indication that he was dealing and stealing); he'd also been busted by a school security guard for suspicious actions/hiding in back of the school and spraypainting graffiti on the school door; in his tweets he proudly proclaims his "gangsta" status as it relates to humiliating women, ruthless violence (he brags about attacking a school bus driver) and drug use (also displaying current pictures of his gold grill and obcsene grestures, in stark contrast to the angelic portraits the media constantly shows of him when he was 12 and 14 years old); there was a recent rash of burgleries in Zimmerman's neighborhood before the shooting that evidence showed were committed by Black youths that Zimmerman knew about; Trayvon wasn't walking through the neighborhood, but was stopping and looking at houses and then ran between houses when he noticed Zimmerman, at which point Zimmerman approached him and asked what he was doing; an eyewitness interviewed by the local news media that has NEVER been shown by the national media, stated that Trayvon was on top of Zimmerman beating him and that Zimmerman was crying for help. There is no option for retreat in this circumstance and Zimmerman had a right to stop the attack. Asking someone lurking around houses in the rain/dark in your neighborhood "What are you doing" is a legitimate question that deserves a reasonable response, not an assault, and is justly looking out for your neighbors. We (hopefully) haven't reached a point at which a "Be Nice to Burglers" mentality prevails in society, but that we can not only "watch", but protect our neighborhoods. And who are the morons who thought up the stupid @!$%# that neighborhood watchpeople shouldn't carry guns?

Sorry, meant to say "Trayvon was under investigation for burglery". My Bad.

Think I remember Pelosi calling the Tea Party Nazi's...Isn't that right Ranman?

Steven....................great post! The liberal media always takes the PC side and distorts the facts, as they did in this instance. The media has become a joke and few take them seriously.

This is not a case about race, but about a legal issue as to when and how one can use a personally-owned firearm.

Everyone who rattles on about blacks vs. whites keeps making it one (or, in this case, Hispanic/White vs. Black). It's nauseating. Give it a rest and stop trying to stir up racial hatred where there does not need to be any.

You are so right.

True.

People like Michael S-27 are proof of a failed education system this country has had for the last 30 years or so. If we don't address that problem soon, we will be to a point of no return as a functioning society and the morons will take over. And they'll be carrying guns too!

The racial issue is stirred up by media each time it mentions that "Trayvon, a Black youth, was shot by Zimmerman, a White Hispanic". Further, CBS deliberately edited Zimmerman's call to the police (leaving out the dispatcher's question asking the race of the suspicious person) to make it appear Zimmerman was racially profiling Trayvon, and media also claimed that Zimmerman had made a racial slur, when subsequent sound enhancement has shown he was merely commenting on the "cold" that night. The media is guilty of inciting racial hatred and should be prosecuted. And what is the deal with this "White Hispanic" @!$%#; the media doesn't refer to Obama as a "White Black".

Dude, it your brains were dynamite, you couldn`t blow your nose.

LOL...what a friggin` moron. NRA hasn`t done anything. State and local governments, at the urging of their citizens, have made it more simple fror law-abiding citizens to exercise their Second Amendment rights. Your post is hardly worth responding to, as it`s nothing but emotional rhetoric, and clearly stupidy.

are you really that simple ? you can stab someone to death, beat em with a baseball bat, run em over with a car, strangle, the list goes on and on. only a moron thinks a gun is the only way to kill someone. you would have our guns taken away so only criminals would have guns, try defending yourself from someone with a gun with your box of tissues !

uh, pipe bombs, poison, knives, rope, barehanded... there are a million ways to kill people without guns. The two wackos at Columbine had homemade bombs made with ingredients from a hardware store.They could have killed far more students with those than they did with their firearms--which they obtained thru illegal means by the way. There are more accidental poisoning deaths of children every day then there are accidental shootings. Should we outlaw drain cleaner and dish soap? I don't disagree that there should be tough standards for purchasing a firearm, but since no one has been successful at predicting when their "seemed normal" neighbor or friend was going to commit a violent act using a firearm, how would removing the guns from the equation have prevented that individual from commiting the atrocity in some other manner? I would just as soon be armed if I ever come across one of those individuals and they intend to do harm to me or one of my loved ones. The problem with violence in our society isn't a result of having too easy access to firearms, it's a result of there being too many screwed up, selfish people with no morals.

Let's see . . . Hitler took away German's guns-6,000,000 died. Stalin took away Soviet guns-22,000,000 died. I guess there must be a way as these guys sure did a bang up job of it. People have been killing people since the first man picked up a rock or a club. We have burned them, cut their hearts out, poisoned them and some few middle-eastern types cut them up with box cutters and then used airplanes to kill thousands. The simple truth is that I can kill someone with a rolled up newspaper which is why it is getting so hard to buy one anymore. Gun control beyond ensuring that crazy nutjobs, ex-cons and people with a history of violence don't get them is all any would consider sensible. These people will ALWAYS have a source for obtaining a weapon and taking away weapons from ANYONE else is only creating a victim. Stand your ground laws do make sense and Castle laws are stupid because they shouldn't be required! If someone is in your house or the house of your friend they should be considered legitimate targets and that is all there is to it. I won't make a judgement regarding the Zimmerman case beyond the simple fact that the only role that race may have played is in the AG office rather than the defendant or the local police department.

Hitler took away German's guns-6,000,000 died. Stalin took away Soviet guns-22,000,000 died.

Not even close to being historically correct.

Ranman87

Not even close to being historically correct.

http://www.scaruffi.com/politics/dictat.html

So under reporting is worse than the truth.

Just Blue and Barlow I write as a member of the NRA, a hunter and a fisherman. I am a gun owner, veteran and a concealed handgun licensee. I am not a gun toting lunatic just a person that prefers to have the ability to defend my home and family. In the 30 seconds or less that it takes to commit a crime or violence against my family the cops are always 5 or more minutes away due to how busy and undermanned they are. The NRA does not make it easier to obtain weapons, but wants to make sure that the laws are fair to all law abiding citizens. Mr Barlow your opinion of the NRA and its members is just that your opinion in which I spent 22 years ensuring that you have the right to voice it. You gentleman need to look at violent crime statistics in countries that have banned private ownership of weapons and how dramatically the violence against citizens rose. I feel that the media with their agendas have drastically skewed any chance of any agency being able to accurately determine what happened. We need as a country to quit tearing each other apart and take more measures to ensure that repeat offenders are never released from prison unless it is in a pine box. Better yet form a prisoner battalion to handle our next wars and if they survive five years in a combat zone see about a parole hearing then.

yeah - because no gun access will stop all that killing...... ummmm never read the reports about the psycho killers in China that go to elementary schools and hack up the kids and teachers with machettes..... people who want to kill people do so.

David had it right. People who want to kill find a way to do that. Guns make it more likely that someone of smaller stature (like myself) has a better chance to defend myself from someone 6'+ that decides they can take advantage of my small stature. This whole mess is NOT because someone had a gun. It is because the person with that gun did something foolish and shot an unarmed child. But - you know what? If it turns out that Trayvon was the agressor (and that is a HUGE if -and completely the point here) that foolish action could have been self-defense. We don't truly know - I'm not taking anyone's word for it until it goes to trial. And then, just like the Casy Anthony trial where I totally think she got away with murder - I will ACCEPT the judgment of the people with the facts that have NOT been distorted by the media.

Remember "When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns"??? I don't intend on giving the outlaws the chance to be the only ones with protection... I live in the country, 10 or so miles from the nearest police station or sheriff's office... I am a white female living with my sister... I am in my middle 40s, my sister is in her 50s... I am a Democrat and a gun rights supporter... Uninvited people in my home are considered fair game... I was told by a police officer years ago to protect myself by any means necessary... Sound advice to me...

If you don't like guns... Don't buy one...

If you think you have the right to take mine... Don't even try...

I bought two more handguns in the last three weeks. I normally vote progressive. The country wouldn't own over 330 million guns if there was not good reason to do so. Clean up the streets of crime and fix the other social ills that bother the US today and you wouldn't need all those guns.

Wouldn`t want to teach your children, even at a young age, to stand up and have ethics and values and principles, yeah?

Liberals embrace EVERYTHING, but stand for NOTHING.

At three? Putting a child in the NRA at THREE?!? Three-year-olds are lucky to have full bladder function. I certainly wouldn't trust a child of that age with a firearm capable of taking a life.

StandUpJokeOff

At three? Putting a child in the NRA at THREE?!? Three-year-olds are lucky to have full bladder function. I certainly wouldn't trust a child of that age with a firearm capable of taking a life.

We would NOT trust you with a firearm that is for sure. No one said the child was using firearms only a member of the NRA.

I was in the military, genius. I was not only trusted with one, I was qualified on pistol and shotgun. Want my old ribbons?

It serves NO purpose to make a child a member of the NRA. NONE. You join the membership of a group when you can sign your name to a document acknowledging that you know what the hell you're joining. She was DRAFTED.

StandUpJokeOff

I was in the military, genius. I was not only trusted with one, I was qualified on pistol and shotgun. Want my old ribbons?

And you point would be? Mine is I would not trust you with one if you are so naive as to think they are putting guns in the hands of a 3 year old. you words ARE "I certainly wouldn't trust a child of that age with a firearm capable of taking a life." OK you were being DRAMATIC. BS.

As to your ribbons... those and a dollar will get you a cup of coffee at McDonald's. I've served as well. EVERYONE qualified with pistol and shotgun, in my case I also qualified M-14. Thanks for your service.

It serves NO purpose to make a child a member of the NRA. NONE. You join the membership of a group when you can sign your name to a document acknowledging that you know what the hell you're joining. She was DRAFTED.

It makes no sense to baptize a child before they can make up their own mind about religion. They sure can't ask forgiveness as they don't know the concepts of right and wrong.. yet PARENTS and GRANDPARENTS do that daily. She may have been "drafted" but you are attempting to make her a poster child for your agenda. When she is old enough she can decide on her own if she wants to retain her membership. Many "life" members have chosen to cancel membership for various reasons. I quit the NRA after the first year. Maybe you don't care for her choice of religion either? Who died and made YOU god as to what organizations she should or should not belong to? Someone on here stated the NRA is making straw men issues. Brady is making a straw man out of the NRA and you are making a straw man out of a 3 year old.

Wow, didn't take long to belittle his service did it? What war did you serve in? Two brothers in Vietnam myself, one died from complications of kidney failure due to what he was exposed to. Never belittle anothers' service.

Allan West is another part of the plague going over the US today. Another certifiable Republican. If the guy hadn't resigned his commission in the Army, he would have been court martialed for abuse of a POW. Some of you folks play up that GZ's father was a magistrate and with that he got a pass, I don't think so. West's father and brother were another two reasons he isn't sitting in Leavenworth right now. Commies in Congress. I thought Joe McCarty taught the US a lesson in the 1950's. West must have flunked history. Look the guy up to protect society.

trust_verify: You are absolutely right. It makes no sense to baptize someone that young when they do not understand the concept of baptism. I was also a member of the NRA, but I soon withdrawn when I saw the political implications of their own idiocies. I defend the right of people to arm themselves and to do it correctly, I see nothing wrong with the current laws, only to make sure that they are enforced correctly. I don't want a wacko like the guy in Virginia Tech or a guy like Loughner to be able to get guns. But I also don't want any law-abiding citizen to be deprived of his or her right to own a gun if they chose so.

Heston was a mediocre actor and a mouthpiece for the nra, that is all he was. He certainly did not have the wisdom of Moses. As for the redneck in Fla. that killed an unarmed youth, I hope he rots in hell with all the other gun toting rednecks who seem so convinced Obama wants their guns. In case any of you haven't noticed Obama hasn't touched your precious weapons of destruction.

jamie.....................................obumbo hasn't touched the gun issues only because he is AFRAID to. He is the most anti gun, anti American pres we have ever had.

usa1967, care to be any more vacuous?

I am a supporter of the NRA and have been my entire life...I am a female. My family has hunted for wild game for food for many generations....most years we depended on it to make it thru the winter to have enough to eat. Is that a crime? Now living in a state that allows guns for defense, there is a law that allows anyone that u fear for ur life on ur property for u to defend urself by any means necessary. I know that not all agrees with it, but for me as a small framed female, I feel more secure knowing I can do what it takes if I am threatened. Having come from an abusive situation....I don't want it to happen again.

Ah, capitalism, now we know you are a communist. Thank you for admitting it.

liberal=communist fascist

dcbullalo-you are so full of xxxx the whites of your eyes are brown! What rock have you been living under for the past few decades? The Media in this country is about as fair and impartial as Adolf Hitler! Everyone Knows they distort, twist, skew, and spin the facts to get ratings and sales! It's all about the sensationalism! It sure as hell is Not about being "fair and impartial" as it was Supposed to be!

And Barlow, you state that you are a "white gun owner and have been for 55 of your 65 years", and then you go on a tirade Against the NRA and hunters and the Second Amendment. I am curious-if you have such Hatred of the NRA and hunters AND our Constitution, why the hell do you own guns for over half a century??! You are a Hypocrite, my man, of the Highest order and your comments are Hypocritical, at best. I, too, am a White gun owner and have been for 45 of MY 66 years and I, too, hate those who hunt for the sheer pleasure of killing an animal to mount their heads on a wall. Personally, I do NOT hunt and never have as I cannot kill something unless it is threatening me or my family or friends. That does Not mean that I am against hunting for those who hunt as long as they eat what they kill. I am also a member of the NRA and several other gun rights groups as I firmly believe in the Second Amendment and my RIGHTS guaranteed under that amendment to our Constitution. The Overwhelming MAJORITY of gun owners and members of gun Rights groups are Law Abiding Citizens who do NOT run around flashing their guns and threatening people. There are over 80 MILLION gun owners in this country. Can you just imagine if All of us were to just go around shooting people because we "are deranged, or incompetent, or trying to "show our manhood","as a lot of you like to say? There wouldn't be anyone left in the country!!

I am also Sick and Tired of everyone saying the Police told Zimmerman to not pursue Martin. It was a 911 dispatcher, people, NOT the Police! They are NOT one and the same! Also, unless there is an EYEWITNESS to what happened, SAW what happened, then there are only two people who actually KNOW what happened-Zimmerman and Martin and, yet, everyone is SO anxious to convict Zimmerman. True, a young man lost his life, and that is sad. But it is also Quite possible that Martin DID, in fact, attack Zimmerman as he said and the he Did, indeed, shoot in self defense. While Martin may have been unarmed, he was Not defenseless! He was bigger than Zimmerman, heavier than Zimmerman, and most likely a lot stronger than Zimmerman. Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, Trayvon Martin was NOT the little puppy-faced smiling Kid that everyone wants to show pictures of!

I agree. I don't hunt either but that is not to say I would be against hunting something that could kill and eat me. A tiger in India or a Kodiak bear in Alaska would make a sporting hunt as it would hunt me as well. I am also for hunters that eat what they kill. Some people in this country have to hunt to eat and live. I'm also an NRA lifetime member. We should protect our constitution no matter what.

Wrong. Casey Anthony was condemned by the media and was acquitted. Our judicial system is about finding impartial jurors. People who actually think for themselves based on the facts presented in the case.

The Zimmerman case is only based on one fact and that is Mr Zimmermans father is a JUDGE and as result of that, yes Mr Zimmerman was never atleast being arrested, then being charged with murder.Most peps no matter if they are black, white, yellow or even red, would of atleast been sent to jail, then you would be charged. But if you have a father , who is a JUDGE, Sanford Police did the investigating differntly. thats how do things in the south and Florida. But you also have to agree that Governor Bush, did change the rules in more favor towards NRA ( Mr. Bush got $ from NRA, like prostitutes, every one in GOP has a price to be sold out.....

LOL)

Wrong! If the media had not brought this to the attention of the general public Zimmerman would have never been charged. The NRA should be ashamed of themselves.

I was on the fence about this case, until the media feeding frenzy got so bad and the biased statements being made by the reporters pandering to the TM fans and family turned me to GZ. I am now in the GZ corner and I want his lawyer to make a fool out of the prosecutor and anybody else along the way. There is more real evidence in this matter in support of GZ than of TM. The prosecutor overcharged the case, that is if she has a case at all. If her office doesn't have much more substance to back up her charges in the indictment, GZ will walk even before there is an Immunity Hearing or a trial on the murder charges. I also hope that there is some way, if he does get off to stick it to the state of FL and/or the media for all the grief he has gotten and will get for probably the rest of his born days. The NRA was correct in their position on this matter

but is a registerd democrat

A life was taken. That deserves full consideration and investigation. If you lost a loved one, would you be willing to simply roll over and say, "Oh, it's okay. There's a law that says my father/brother/husband had the right to be shot"?

Isn't it sensationalism of fear that allows the NRA to sell guns?

The situation in Florida is the wild west revisited and landing in current day Florida. I suspect that anyone coveting safety might feel the need to own a gun in Florida, where any unidentified non rational thinking person gun owner can stalk you in his car while you are walking down the street and provoke enough of encounter to justify killing you.

Maybe what the NRA needs to consider is asking congress to lowering the age of gun owner's, so even youth have a chance at protecting their life. Right now all the NRA is doing is supporting murder.

Racist like you are the reason this case is so critical (guess you think all black kids are punks). Trayvon is the one who was threatened, not Zimmerman, based on what has been revealed so far. The Florida law is so stupid; sounds like you look at someone the wrong way and they can kill you. The bottom line - Zimmerman killed an unarmed kid after he was told by the police to lay off. Think the prosecutors will have a strong case.

I think your wrong. It was Martin who threw the first punch and broke Zimmerman's nose. Then Martin proceeded to pound Zimmerman's head on the sidewalk. Tell me who was the aggressor here !

At this point, we have nobody's word but Zimmerman's as to any attack. The only "evidence" was that a police officer gave a cursory glance to the top of Zimmerman's head... if your nose has been broken, why would someone ignore that and focus on a little scratch on top of your head? Get a grip.

Larry

The Florida law is so stupid; sounds like you look at someone the wrong way and they can kill you.

You hit the issue on the head. Other states, even those who used ALEC and Florida as a model, clarify quite a few things on SYG. One the explain the use of deadly force is a force for force escalation not a shoot first ask questions later. Two, and almost as important, is one can't provoke the situation that causes use of deadly force and hide behind the law.

Clearly thinking

Isn't it sensationalism of fear that allows the NRA to sell guns?

FAIL The NRA may promote gun ownership but does not have an FFL to manufacture, import or sell guns.

The "punk" here is Zimmerman...jumped a cop doing his job, beat up his fiance, shot an unarmed kid and then lied about it. True punk ...about to live a punk's life in prison.

Corn-Fed-Up

I think your wrong. It was Martin who threw the first punch and broke Zimmerman's nose. Then Martin proceeded to pound Zimmerman's head on the sidewalk. Tell me who was the aggressor here !

Ever get a broken nose? Zimmerman sure cleaned up well... no black eyes, NOTHING.

Put this thing in perspective. Let's say you're correct on the chain of events... what would YOU do if some guy was stalking you? And we do not know if Trayvon knew Zimmerman was packing, do we?

... "@!$%# hit me after I chased him for no cause so I shot him" doesn't get it. Let's say he broke Zimmerman's nose then Zimmerman shot him... self defense? No, it's retaliation.

The point is that we do not know. Let the system work.