George Zimmerman is back in the news again after attempting to sell the gun he used to shoot Trayvon Martin.
Zimmerman placed the gun, a 9mm pistol, on the gun auction website GunBroker starting at $5,000 and used Martin’s death as a selling point:
Prospective bidders, I am honored and humbled to announce the sale of an American Firearm Icon. The firearm for sale is the firearm that was used to defend my life and end the brutal attack from Trayvon Martin on 2/26/2012. The gun is a Kel-Tec PF-9 9mm. It has recently been returned to me by the Department of Justice. The pistol currently has the case number written on it in silver permanent marker. Many have expressed interest in owning and displaying the firearm including The Smithsonian Museum in Washington D.C. This is a piece of American History. It has been featured in several publications and in current University text books. Offers to purchase the Firearm have been received; however, the offers were to use the gun in a fashion I did not feel comfortable with. The firearm is fully functional as the attempts by the Department of Justice on behalf of B. Hussein Obama to render the firearm inoperable were thwarted by my phenomenal Defense Attorney. I recognize the purchaser’s ownership and right to do with the firearm as they wish. The purchaser is guaranteed validity and authenticity of the firearm. On this day, 5/11/2016 exactly one year after the shooting attempt to end my life by BLM sympathizer Matthew Apperson I am proud to announce that a portion of the proceeds will be used to: fight BLM violence against Law Enforcement officers, ensure the demise of Angela Correy’s persecution career and Hillary Clinton’s anti-firearm rhetoric. Now is your opportunity to own a piece of American History. Good Luck. Your friend, George M. Zimmerman ~Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum~
Zimmerman’s claim that many museums have expressed interest in his gun doesn’t appear to be true; CNN contacted the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. about the gun and they responded: “We have never expressed interest in collecting George Zimmerman’s firearm, and have no plans to ever collect or display it in any museums.”
In an interview with WOFL Fox 35, Zimmerman explained that he recently received the gun back from the Department of Justice and defended his actions as being a “free American.”
“I can do what I want with my possessions,” Zimmerman said, although he pointed out that he’s received death threats since putting his gun up for auction.
However, the gun is no longer on the auction site. CNN found that the page featuring the weapon now simply reads, “Sorry, but the item you have requested is no longer in the system” and nothing shows up after searching “George Zimmerman” and “Trayvon Martin.” Zimmerman refused to speak to CNN after they called him for comment.
“Prospective bidders, I am honored and humbled to announce the sale of an American Firearm Icon.”
George Zimmerman’s ad for selling gun used in Trayvon Martin’s death
Zimmerman first arrived on the national scene after shooting Martin, a case that sparked outrage and debate, especially after Zimmerman was acquitted for the shooting, although the available evidence substantiates Zimmerman’s story that he was acting in self-defense. Since then, Zimmerman has been arrested for suspected domestic violence and was shot at by Matthew Apperson, who has been charged with attempted murder.