General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: From the Miami Herald: [View all]spin
(17,493 posts)it was foolish.
The best way to avoid a gun fight is to not be in one. I'm a resident Floridian with a concealed weapons permit. I carry on a regular basis and since I got my permit over 15 years ago, I have become an extremely polite individual.
I definitely do not wish to get into an argument with someone that might turn violent. If I sense that I have a serious situation developing with another individual, I will simply break off and walk away even if it makes me look like a coward.
Had I been in Zimmerman's shoes that night, I would have probably paid little or no attention to a strange individual in my neighborhood wearing a hoodie in the rain. If he had set off my radar by acting suspicious, I would have called the police. If the person on the other end of the line advised me to not follow the suspicious individual, I would have went on my way. I realize that such calls are recorded and even if I was within my legal rights to pursue, it is wisest to follow police instructions.
It is quite possible that Zimmerman did nothing wrong that night and his story might be basically accurate. Still he has ruined his and his family's life over an unimportant incident.
I feel he was following what he thought was a suspicious person without considering the fact that that person had good reason to feel he was also acting in a suspicious manner.