George Zimmerman, the Sanford, Fla., neighborhood “watchman” who shot and killed an unarmed Trayvon Martin, 17, in February 2012, said he was auctioning off the 9mm pistol he used in the shooting for an opening bid of $5,000.
But no sooner did the story of the auction begin to spread than the web page where the gun auction was to start at 11 a.m. today (May 12), on gunbroker.com, was replaced with a message: “Sorry, but the item you have requested is no longer in the system.”
The page had previously included a statement from Zimmerman describing the gun as “the firearm that was used to defend my life and end the brutal attack from Trayvon Martin on 2/26/2012,” and went on to describe the gun as “a piece of American history.” Zimmerman said he would send “portions” of the proceeds to “fight [Black Lives Matter] violence against Law Enforcement officers” and fight “Hillary Clinton’s anti-firearm rhetoric.”
“I’m a free American. I can do what I want with my possessions,” Zimmerman told Fox 13 in Orlando.
It’s not his first foray into the auction world, though his previous one was more successful: in late 2013 he sold a painting, apparently cribbed from a stock photo database without credit, of an American flag, fetching him $100,099 on eBay. The auction had started with an opening bid of 99 cents. “My art work allows me to reflect, providing a therapeutic outlet and allows me to remain indoors,” he’d written at the time, with a smiley face. “:-) I hope you enjoy owning this piece as much as I enjoyed creating it. Your friend, George Zimmerman.”
Zimmerman, 32, was acquitted in the killing of Martin, which he termed self-defense. He’s had numerous encounters with police since, the latest dating back to January 2015 when he was charged with aggravated assault in lake Mary for throwing a wine bottle at his ex-girlfriend. The charge was dropped.
His latest auction has been roundly criticized as tasteless but unsurprising (see below) for an individual whose history in the public eye could never be accused of ever suggesting dignity.
The reaction on Twitter:
George Zimmerman was rightfully acquitted, as anyone who knows CrimLaw can tell you.
But that doesn't mean he isn't a piece of garbage.
— Jeff Blehar is *BOX OFFICE POISON* (@EsotericCD) May 12, 2016
The fact that someone is going to buy George Zimmerman's gun is the best case for universal background checks that can possibly be made.
— L O L G O P (@LOLGOP) May 12, 2016
https://twitter.com/SolLadie/status/730750001207476224
George Zimmerman is auctioning off the gun he used to kill #Trayvon Martin. Obscene. The fact that there's a market for it: heartbreaking.
— Bobby Veejay Marley BlueCheck (@OtherBobMarley) May 12, 2016
I dunno what's more appalling: the fact that #Trayvon's murderer wants to sell his instrument of death or that someone will legit buy it.
— trumpetnista (@trumpetnista) May 12, 2016
George Zimmerman AUCTIONS off the gun he used to kill #Trayvon Martin https://t.co/5hZG1GJWxk via @MailOnline only in#USA. Insanely shameful
— Joy Skanes (@jeskanes) May 12, 2016
Upset about Zimmerman auctioning his murder weapon?
If Obama DOJ had prosecuted him, this couldn't happen.#trayvon MT @FreedomRideBlog— Call Me Ishmael (@fqxjv) May 12, 2016
Fast & Furious says
Hey George…donated it to Eric Holder. He can send it to Mexico with a few hundred others he’s been collecting. He’s good at that !!!!
Blacklifematterpghorg says
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Geezer says
George Zimmerman is America’s biggest a**hole. Had he not bothered this young man,
there wouldn’t have been a violent altercation. If Mr. Martin looked suspicious, gasbag
Zimmerman was only supposed to relay this information to local police.
Ass-hat that he is, he defied explicit instructions to NOT follow Trayvon Martin.
Zimmerman is not, and never will be a LEO.
Who does this guy think he is? He’s racist towards blacks, while white racists chortle,
and denigrate him for being Hispanic. Yes, George–you’re Hispanic. What comes around,
goes around. George Zimmerman is a laughing stock. He should apply for the Klan.
His rejection would come in the form a burning cross. A Kodak moment for sure!
You’d think that this walking contradiction would have adopted a low profile after his acquittal.
Nope, he’s been in a shootout with another brainless ass, and he’s been charged with
domestic violence.
Now he’s auctioning off his murder weapon. His temerity amazes me.
He’d have made a swell inamorato for a chubby-chaser in prison.
One day George’s luck will run out–and jail will be the best-case scenario for
his corpulent, turpid self.
Cornudo numero uno–George Zimmerman!
chopshop says
OJ sold his possessions to get out of paying the civil suit, what the difference he killed two people. OH that’s right OJ was black. sounds like black racism to me . what is good for the goose is good for the gander.
Donald Trump's Tiny Fingers says
I hope someone buys it, melts it down, and casts it into a figure of Trayvon Martin’s fallen body, and then beats Zimmerman with it until he confesses to murdering him.
Diana says
Yes, George Zimmerman, you absolutely can try to sell that gun, it’s your right. (If you can find an auction website to do it). The real question is, SHOULD YOU? Congratulations, you have earned the award for being the biggest a$$hole of year. I would not say something like this to many people, but it makes me sick to my stomach to share this planet with you.
Pogo says
Go ahead, make your day.
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=divest+gun+stocks
And tell them G-for-gun, Z-for-zero inspired you.
Ron R. says
Of course you have every right to sell your handgun George. But when you use it’s infamous past as a marketing tool on order to get a few extra dollars for it, well, that’s where you cross the line. Posting it on a public auction and calling it a “piece of American history” is just plain slimy and asking for trouble.
Dave says
Boy is this story already out of date. $400k and still taking bids
Sherry says
George Zimmerman. . . a completely horrific human being who deserves nothing but disgust from all other “civilized” people across the entire planet. May karma create exactly what he deserves in life. . . nothing more than an all consuming wretched existence.
Bc. says
Hey this guy fought for his life that thug would have killed him if he did not have a weapon. He was tried in a court of law and found not guilty. He has every rite to sell his weapon.
sick of failures says
@chopshop…so if I am a white person who kills someone that is ok… or perhaps Hispanic that is ok? what is your point?
Sherry says
Like I said. . . he deserves nothing but disgust from all other “CIVILIZED” human beings! Apparently, Not all who comment here are “civilized”!
Zimmerman obviously “jumped” a kid of the “wrong color”, against the express instructions of the police dispatcher. The kid, with only “skittles” in his pocket, fought back and Zimmerman killed him in cold blood. . . end of story!
Zimmerman should rot in HELL a million years!
BTW. . . Black Lives DO Matter! Brown Lives DO Matter! Red Lives DO Matter! Yellow Lives DO Matter! White Lives DO Matter! WE ALL Matter. . . EXACTLY the Same!
Bc. says
Sherry don’t you think with the eyes of the world watching and wanting a conviction on this case and they did not get it that there was any doubt that he George acted in self defense. Sure he did not listen not to follow him that’s not a crime it’s was a dumb ass move that would have cost him his live if he were not armed. That thug did not have to beat George’s head into the ground leaving him no choice but for George to shoot him, George shot once to stop the thug and to save his life. I guess if you were getting your head bashed in and you had a leagl gun you would choose not to use it I don’t think so.