Should Neighborhood Watch Groups Be Armed?

As developments emerge from the tragic Martin/Zimmerman shooting incident in Florida, tensions continue to mount. The story has morphed beyond a byline story into a headline event, creating waves of aftershocks as more and more elements are pieced together. Because of the rapid nature of media reporting, many circumstances relating to the Travyon Martin incident have been misreported. Still, the controversy grows out of control. Much like the circumstances fueling the Arab Spring rebellions of 2011, public protests continue, encouraged through the efforts of social media.  What started as a fatal confrontation on a rainy night in Florida has swelled into a heated discourse on race relations in America. As the story develops a political component predicated on personal bias or conjecture, many others have been caught in the fray. But who is really to blame?

Ultimately, every opinion on this incident MUST be based on some form of speculation. After all, we will never be privy to what happened once George Zimmerman exited his SUV and the physical confrontation with Trayvon Martin began. Despite protesters’ demand for justice and a Federal oversight of the investigation, the evidence will never adequately uncover the truth; because only two men were involved, and one of them is no longer alive.

Understanding there will be conjecture in every person’s opinion, let’s dispense with some sense and nonsense surrounding this specific case as it stands today.

·         Wearing a hoodie on a rainy night is NOT suspicious. Entering a gated community and skulking behind townhouses as a shortcut to get home-even in the rain- is suspicious.

·         People engaging in suspicious activity should be monitored. During Zimmerman’s 911 call, he could not initially tell if Mr. Martin was black. At this juncture, Martin’s behavior, not his race, is what aroused concern.

·         A 6 foot 3 inch tall 17 year old is not a boy. Any person old enough to be arrested or criminally sentenced is no longer a boy. Calling Mr. Martin a boy removes any onus he has for his part of the tragedy.

·         Zimmerman should and could have maintained surveillance from a distance and followed the suspicious person without arousing a conflict. Accurate descriptions and directions of flight are the most helpful bits of information for responding police units. Reputable neighborhood watch groups recognize this fact.

·         Florida’s “Stand Your Ground law” permits armed and inadequately trained civilians to use deadly force when they reasonably believe they will be killed or severely injured. The greatest issue in this case is whether Zimmerman reacted reasonably while struggling on the ground.

There is only a short waiting period and a background check to purchase a firearm in Florida. Ironically, at a gun show in Orlando this weekend, many are registering for the 2 hour concealed weapon class in order to obtain a license. Yes, only two hours to learn about Florida gun laws, self-defense, the rules of deadly force, and proper handling and maintenance of a firearm.  For comparison, the NYPD includes a week of full-time training before issuing a firearm to a law enforcement professional, with two days of refresher training per year afterwards. As of today, George Zimmerman can legally purchase and carry another firearm in Florida, and he probably should, because the most credible threats to his personal safety lie ahead of him, and not behind him.

Zimmerman has already expressed great regret over the tragedy. His present state of turmoil and tortured future will bear witness to the proper justice to be served. While Zimmerman suffered from on overzealous ambition and inappropriate use of force, he was still acting in good faith. But if his armed-cowboy ego had not been fostered by a gun toting culture, he probably would never have gotten involved to begin with; which brings us to the nature of watch groups in general.

Neighborhood watch groups do not form in good communities. Multiple violent incidents generally spawn resentment and the formation of these groups. Because of civic outrage, and the feeling that the police are stretched-to-thin, well intentioned civilians take to the streets. As a result, many good Samaritans are violently injured and murdered by the criminals they confront. Those headlines are very common, which is why they deserve support. Good Samaritan individuals/groups should also be better trained. But there is no reason to support arming volunteer enforcers or covering up for them when things go wrong.

Most states and municipalities have varied rules governing the possession of firearms in public. Even though many states support relaxed gun laws, most do not entitle gun hobbyists to carry concealed firearms, or to concede their use for citizen patrols. The right to bear arms has generally been applied to private protection within a person’s home, though the debate is very controversial. Every pro gun state supports deadly force to be used in self defense when a reasonable belief death or serious injury is imminent.  

Viewing the latest video of Zimmerman in police custody one hour after the shooting, one can clearly see there is no broken nose or serious head injury as initially alleged. After a brief medical treatment on the scene, there is no visible swelling, bleeding, or even bandages readily applied by first responders. Zimmerman also declined any further medical evaluation on the scene before questioning.

On the night of February 26^th, the 911 dispatcher directed Zimmerman to back away, but he did not. Should Zimmerman have to mount a defense in this case, his claim of self defense might not convince a jury because he became the aggressor- even if he did not throw the first punch.