Why am I not surprised?
Think Progress
Larry Pratt, the executive director of Second Amendment group Gun Owners of America, offered a rare defense of the man who killed Trayvon Martin, saying George Zimmerman was acting in self defense when he shot the Florida teen. As the facts of the case have emerged, everyone from President Obama to RIck Santorum and Rep. Allen West (R-FL) have condemned the killing.
But appearing on Current TV’s “The Young Turks” with Cenk Uygur Friday, Pratt said Zimmerman and the police acted properly. “Martin passed from becoming a victim to becoming an aggressor” during an alleged altercation, he said. Pratt’s said his view of the facts are based on a single eye witness interviewed by an Orlando news station. “[Martin] should have run away,” Pratt explained, saying Florida’s controversial “Stand Your Ground” laws are irrelevant, because “we’re talking about fighting off an assailant.”
“Once Martin had neutralized the threat, that’s when he should have taken off to get out of there. He doubled down, and he started to really beat the tar out of the guy,” Pratt said. Martin “gave up his rights,” Pratt added.
Gun Owners of America is a major firearms group several clicks to the right of the NRA, but nonetheless attracts significant support from mainstream conservatives.
Related articles
- Cenk Uygur Blasts Gun Owners of America’s Larry Pratt for Defending Murder of Trayvon Martin (crooksandliars.com)
- “It sounds pretty obvious to me. If that was a racial epithet that preceded the attack on Trayvon…” (shortformblog.com)
- Florida Gov. Jeb Bush Says ‘Stand Your Ground’ Law Doesn’t Apply to Trayvon Martin Shooting (inquisitr.com)
- Does the ‘Stand Your Ground’ law really apply in the murder of Trayvon Martin? (bazaardaily.com)
- Civil case against Zimmerman to be filed (ijrnews.com)
- 7 More ‘Stand Your Ground’ Cases (thedailybeast.com)
- Current’s The Young Turks Airs Alleged ‘F*cking C**ns’ Trayvon Martin 911 Call Uncensored (mediaite.com)
I’ll bet the reason Zimmerman hasn’t been arrested yet is because it wouldn’t be Zimmerman on trial. It would be the “Stand Your Ground” law. Florida and no one on the right wants to see that.
Very good point JC. I think you’re right.
How is a 17-year-old unarmed kid a good 100 lbs lighter than Zimmerman (who was armed and following him against police instructions) by any stretch of the imagination an assailant? As a parent, this makes me furious.
So, if Martin had had a gun and shot Zimmerman, all would be okay?
No? Of course not …
Pratt’s a … nah, never mind …
This man’s view is laughable. If Trayvon “attacked” Zimmerman by his vehicle, then why were Zimmerman and Trayvon behind the building? Zimmerman started this crime. Trayvon had the right to defend himself. If Zimmerman received injuries during the fight, then it is Zimmermans fault. He can’t then turn around and claim self defense. As the aggressor, Zimmerman had a legal duty to retreat. If I was walking and someone was following me in a car and then on foot; I would be scared right out of my mind. Zimmerman had no right to even talk to Trayvon or stalk him. Yes “STALK”. He followed Trayvon in his vehicle and then on foot.