Posted on 03/20/2012 7:00:02 PM PDT by marktwain
A civil rights group wants the state to suspend the concealed carry permit of George Zimmerman as investigators probe the shooting death of black teenager Trayvon Martin.
But Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, whose agency oversees concealed weapons permits, said he can't do anything without pending criminal charges or a felony conviction. In Florida, felons are not allowed to carry concealed weapons without restoration of their civil rights and firearm authority.
State law also prevents Putnam's agency from identifying people who have applied for or received a permit, so he can't specifically talk about Zimmerman as a permit holder.
"My office is legally bound to fiercely protect the privacy of concealed weapon permit holders," Putnam said Tuesday when asked about the group's demand. "There are specific legal triggers that result in suspension or revocation."
The Florida Civil Rights Association has planned a Wednesday protest at the department's regional licensing office in Orlando anyway.
"The public believes that Mr. Zimmerman is not fit to maintain his license because he has demonstrated to be a clear threat to public safety," the group's president, J. Willie David III, said in a statement.
No one from the group has responded to emails and phone calls for comment.
Zimmerman told police in Sanford that he shot Martin, who died with a bullet wound to his chest, in self-defense, a key part of Florida's seven-year-old "Stand Your Ground" law. Zimmerman's call to 911 dispatcher, released last week, suggests he pursued Martin even though the dispatcher told him not to, spurring increased national outrage over the Feb. 26 incident. Martin was carrying a bag of Skittles and a can of iced tea.
Putnam spokesman Sterling Ivey said it is not common for complaints to be filed against concealed carry weapons permit holders. Once a complaint is filed it is investigated by the licensing division and, if needed, the department's law enforcement arm.
Here's what state law says about suspending or revoking a permit holder's license:
The department shall revoke a license if the licensee has been found guilty of, had adjudication of guilt withheld for, or had imposition of sentence suspended for one or more crimes of violence within the preceding three years.
The department shall suspend a license if the licensee is arrested or formally charged with a felony. The suspension will last until the case is over.
The department shall suspend a license if the licensee is issued an injunction that restrains him or her from committing acts of domestic violence or acts of repeat violence.
Other grounds for suspension/revocation include sustaining a physicial disability that makes handling a weapon safely impossible and being committed to a mental institution.
Well, that is good news.
Until Zimmerman is arrested for a crime, he should be able keep his CCW and his weapons.
Great question.
Zimmerman gave directions to the dispatcher that did not include stopping at the gate, so its doubtful there is actually a blocked entrance with a guardhouse in this 'gated community', more like a facade with gates attached.
Possibly, but I don’t think police have to stop at gates or deal with gate guards before they can pass in an emergency situation.
Bad things happen to black people, in most cases it has nothing to do with racism....but that never stops the race-hustling opportunists.
Definitely agree with all you’ve said.
I don’t like all this rush to judgement I’m seeing in general. We lack details at this time, however police do not lack details, and Zimmerman remains free at this time.
gulty/or not guilty it no longer matters, the anti-second amendendment goons are out in force demanding change in the law.
Facts don’t matter all that matters is taking away the rights of citizens.
Definitely agree, furthermore I believe CNN is purposely trying to spark riots over this.
Earlier today on my local florida news it was reported that “the black community is about to ignite”.
My position is this. If the circumstances and evidence is as clear cut as other posters are trying to make it out to be, then why is FL. law engorcement letting a murderer walk around?
Clearly, there is something else here that is not being reported that is the cause of Zimmerman not being charged with murder, and I want to know what it is.
I keep seeing people say the kid was visiting his dad. If that is the case, then why isn’t it being reported that he was killed in his own neighborhood? Why wasn’t he recognized as a family member of someone who lives in the neighborhood?
If this is a neighborhood the boy frequents as a result of his dad living there, then he should know about neighborhood watch, and perhaps he would think better of walking around with a hood on his head, because doing so can draw suspicion.
// The press has ONE enemy. And only one. That enemy is any conservative. If you go to the link - you’ll see journalists talking to each other when they think only fellow journalists are in the room. To say ‘dripping with contempt’ would be an understatement. They hate us. One man has done consulting work for the New York Times - the other man is a journalism professor.
They didn’t know a conservative was in the room taping the conversation. This will make it all clear...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBFOmUXR080 //
>> Thanks for posting that awesome link. More need to see it.
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