If the account that Zimmerman is alleged to have given to the police is true then he didn't pull his gun while following Martin. He didn't pull it when Martin confronted him and asked "you got a problem?" He didn't pull it when he was punched and knocked to the ground. He didn't pull it while being pummeled on the ground.
Only when Martin saw it in his waistband and threatened "you're going to die tonight" (however the threat was actually worded) and presumably tried to grab it did the gun leave the holster.
I would call that a lot of restraint on Zimmerman's part.
Yep. I think he was willing to take a beating - he knew the cops were on the way. But he wasn't willing to have his own weapon turned on him.
It is quite amazing, that the general public has been led to the conclusion that Zimmerman is a sort of thug. Out hunting prey, taking an opportunity to initiate force, etc.
The press is despicable. Usually, their mistakes can be taken as "funny" in a sense. Not this one. This isn't funny, at all. I'd have to restrain myself from spitting on Stepanopolis, Blitzer, Grace, Shepherd, et al if I saw them in public.