Under Florida law, George Zimmerman, is still licensed to carry a concealed weapon even after the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.
The Last Word spoke with Sterling Ivey from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. This is the agency responsible for issuing and suspending conceal weapon licenses.
Florida does not make the names of those who are issued gun permits public record. However, he did confirm the parameters used to decide whether a license should be revoked or suspended.
1). A license is only revoked if a gun owner is convicted of a felony.
2). A license is only suspended if a gun owner is charged with a felony.
3). A license is not suspended if an individual is under investigation of a felony. Only suspended once the individual is charged.
Zimmerman shot and killed an unarmed 17-year-old in February, but has not been charged with any crime. Right now, he seems to be protected under Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law. In 2005, Florida was the first state to enact a law pushed by the National Rifle Association using the concept of standing your ground in self-defense. The U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI announced late Monday they have opened an investigation into the shooting death of unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
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