The Case Of Trayvon Martin

In February of 2012, Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old, was shot and killed by George Zimmerman in an act of self-defense. Martin, who was in Sanford, Florida visiting his father, was coming home from a 7-Eleven carrying a can of iced tea and a bag of skittles. 28-year-old Zimmerman was a neighborhood watch coordinator in the housing community in which Martin’s father lived (Abuznaid 1143). Zimmerman noticed Martin, who was wearing a gray-hooded sweatshirt, walking through the community and grew suspicious. Zimmerman called the police but was told to wait and not engage. Dismissing the police’s warning, Zimmerman confronted Martin. An argument occurred between the two men, which led to a physical fight in which both Zimmerman and Martin were harmed.

Ivan Rivera, one man had used a gun for self-defense. Rivera was on his way home from a gun showcase when Mike McCrae, Steve Bond, Rick Papas, Ben Hamilton, and Noel Lewis suddenly confronted him in a car (Fair 417). For the next twenty minutes a car chase ensued where Bond, who was driving the car, chased Rivera. After twenty minutes, Rivera was stopped by a red light when Bond and McCrae exited the car. Rivera heard McCrae banging against the window with a pistol. Rivera fearing for his life took out his shotgun and fired at McCrae (Fair 414). Although Rivera had tried to retreat from a confrontation, he was unable to do so and used lethal force. The jury found that Rivera was reasonably fearful for his life and was therefore justified in shooting

SYG defenders suggest, “highly publicized gun training programs or defensive gun use, followed by extensive media coverage may produce changes in criminal behavior” (Fair 167). By doing this, supporters are trying to make criminals realize that citizens are able to shoot if necessary. The idea is that criminals will now stop and think twice before attacking because they are unable to determine who is carrying a gun and if they will use