Earlier this week George Zimmerman revealed that he intended to auction off the gun he used to kill Florida teenager Trayvon Martin. He was forced to find a new auction website however after his first choice turned him down, according to a statement posted on Thursday by GunBroker.
"Our site rules state that we reserve the right to reject listings at our sole discretion, and have done so with the Zimmerman listing," the GunBroker statement said. "We want no part in the listing on our web site or in any of the publicity it is receiving."
News spread quickly that Zimmerman intended to profit from the gun used to kill the unarmed teen and it was met with harsh criticism. Zimmerman said he received death threats but fully intends to proceed. "What I've decided to do is not cower," he said. "I'm a free American. I can do what I want with my possessions."
Zimmerman has moved the auction to a different website, but he cited a different reason than what was provided by GunBroker.
"Unfortunately, (the site) was not prepared for the traffic and publicity surrounding the auction of my firearm," Zimmerman said in a text. "It has now been placed with another auction house."
Zimmerman is now trying to sell the gun through United Gun Group, an online marketplace for firearms. The new website has the same starting bid of $5,000, and much of the same description, bragging that the firearm is a piece of "American history."
"I am honored and humbled to announce the sale of an American firearm icon," the post said. "The firearm for sale is the firearm that was used to defend my life and end the brutal attack from Trayvon Martin on 2/26/2012."
The posting on United Gun Group, apparently written by Zimmerman, said many museums, including the Smithsonian Institution, have "expressed interest in owning and displaying the firearm."
But the Washington-based Smithsonian released a statement saying, "We have never expressed interest in collecting George Zimmerman's firearm, and have no plans to ever collect or display it in any museums."
Martin's family declined to comment on the gun sale, saying the Trayvon Martin foundation is focused on ending gun violence in the United States.
"This election season, we are laser focused on furthering that mission," Martin's family said in a statement. "As such, the foundation has no comment on the actions of that person."
Zimmerman was acquitted of second-degree murder and manslaughter in the shooting death of unarmed Martin three years ago, after he claimed self defense.
Source: cnn.com
