George Zimmerman in court after his acquittal. (Getty)
George Zimmerman is planning to auction off the gun he used to kill 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in 2012.
The gun was returned to Zimmerman after he was acquitted of second-degree murder and manslaughter charges in Martin’s death.
Zimmerman fatally shot Martin, who was not armed, during a struggle in Sanford, Florida, on February 26, 2012. He was found not guilty by a jury on July 13, 2012.
He initally set up the auction off the gun, a Kel-Tec PF-9 9mm that Zimmerman calls an “American Firearm Icon,” through the website GunBroker.com.
The auction was supposed to start May 12 at 11 a.m. and last for 24 hours. But the auction appeared to be down at 10:59 a.m., just before it was set to begin. It is not yet clear if Zimmerman deleted the auction, or if it was done by Gun Broker.
At about 2 p.m., Zimmerman created an auction on the United Gun Group website. The minimum bid remains at $5,000. No bids had been made as of 3 p.m.
Todd Underwood, the United Gun Group president, tweeted a link to the auction and confirmed in a comment on the website that it has been verified as real, asking for “only serious bidders. All non-serious bidders will be blocked.”
Sanford police officer Timothy Smith holds up the gun that was used to kill Trayvon Martin. (Getty)
You can read the auction description posted by Zimmerman below:
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~
At about 10:59 a.m., the auction was deleted from the website and replaced by this error message:
(Gunbroker.com)
You can see a screenshot of the auction page below:
(Gunbroker.com)
Zimmerman told WOFL-TV he recently got the gun back from the Department of Justice.
He said he has received death threats since the trial, and after posting the auction.
“What I’ve decided to do is not cower,” he told the Orlando news station. “I’m a free American. I can do what I want with my possessions.”
Zimmerman claims in the description that the Smithsonian Museum has expressed interest in the gun, but the museum denied that.
“We have never expressed interest in collecting George Zimmerman’s firearm, and have no plans to ever collect or display it in any museums,” the Smithsonian tweeted.
Diana Smith, crime scene technician for the Sanford Police Department, shows the jury a gun that was collected as evidence at the crime scene, during George Zimmerman’s trial in Seminole circuit court June 25, 2013 in Sanford, Florida. (Getty)
Bids for the gun start at $5,000, according to the auction website.
Zimmerman will accept a COD, PayPal, money order and certified check as payment methods. The buyer must pay 6 percent sales tax to Florida, and also pay for the shipping costs, either by ground, Priority Mail or 1st Class mail. He will not ship it internationally.
The gun weighs 2 pounds and is described as “used.” It is being sold as is, with no refund or exchange allowed.
The buyer is required to have a Federal Firearms License.
“The seller of this item assumes all responsibility for this listing. You must contact the seller to resolve any questions or concerns before placing a bid,” the GunBroker.com disclaimer says. “Payment must be made using U.S. dollars ($) unless otherwise stated in the listing. Firearms may only be shipped to a licensed dealer (FFL Holder). Some listed items may not be legal in every state.”
People along with New York City Council members attend a press conference to call for justice in the February 26 killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida, on the steps of City Hall March 28, 2012 in New York City. (Getty)
Trayvon Martin’s family issued a statement through the Trayvon Martin Foundation.
“The Trayvon Martin Foundation is committed to its mission of ending senseless gun violence in the United States,” the statement said. “This election, season, we are laser focused on furthering that mission. As such, the foundation has no comment on the actions of that person.”
