Do you feel safer because George Zimmerman is criscrossing the United States with a gun?

[branford]

34. I never expected any riots.

Last edited Fri Aug 2, 2013, 10:41 AM - Edit history (1)

People may be passionate, but nevertheless are generally peaceful. I personally never expected riots. I am, however, always concerned about individuals committing foolish or criminal acts. This concern does not equate with unreasonable hyper-vigilance about George Zimmerman or anyone else. You appear to impute motives and beliefs to those who do not share all your prerogatives, particularly with respect to firearms.

I am an trial attorney who lives and works in NYC. Racial disparities in the criminal justice system are not only unacceptable morally and politically, they actually effect my livelihood. I do not "support" Zimmerman. He is basically a nonentity in my life. I will continue to go about my lawful business, enjoy life, and advocate my politics, including the end to racial disparities and discrimination in our country, with or without George Zimmerman.

You are correct that I am concerned that Zimmerman or others might be needlessly harmed as a result of the media attention to his case, even if I am not personally threatened. If an individual sought to avenge Trayvon Martin, and ended up killing or injuring himself, Zimmerman or other innocents, would this not also be cold-blooded murder and a tragedy no less warranting our attention that the death of Trayvon? I do not condone vigilantism and mourn all needless deaths, even if it was Zimmerman. I do not abandon my liberal values because I do not share common cause with or dislike the victim.

You appear fixated and obsessed about gun ownership, and grossly stereotype gun owners, including those here at DU who otherwise share your liberal political beliefs. As a politically active trial attorney, even under NYC's strict legal guidelines, I could likely obtain a permit to own or carry a gun. Nevertheless, I feel quite safe and do not own a gun nor wish to do so. I do, however, know a number of individuals of different genders, sizes, professions, ethnicities, races and religions, in and around the City, who own and carry guns. Most of these individuals are quite liberal, and none are bigoted, seek to harm others or otherwise conform to your redneck stereotype straight out of Deliverance. Many of these individuals, including myself, support additional restrictions on gun ownership such as expanded federal background checks. It is unfortunate that your aggressive posture, hyperbole and unwillingness to impart any form of humanity to those with whom you disagree in any way is exactly the type of attitude that forecloses any reasonable compromises with otherwise reasonable gun owners.