CeaseFirePA- What if George Zimmerman had not had a gun?

That’s the question Nina Vinik from the Joyce Foundation asked in an op-ed in the Chicago Sun Times.

“Many commentators have asked us to imagine the Zimmerman case with different facts: What if George Zimmerman was black? What if Trayvon Martin was white? What if Trayvon could tell his side of the story?

But the question we should be asking is: What if George Zimmerman didn’t have a gun?

If Zimmerman wasn’t armed, we can imagine that the encounter might have gone very differently. Or there might not have been an encounter at all. . . .

One thing seems painfully obvious: If Zimmerman didn’t have a gun, he wouldn’t have shot to death an unarmed 17-year-old, leaving behind a grieving family and a community forever scarred.

Of course, George Zimmerman did have a gun, and a boy is dead. When guns are on the scene, violence is more likely to become lethal violence. A fist fight becomes a trip to the morgue.”

This problem is ripping us apart. This cannot be allowed to become routine.

CeaseFirePA is fighting everyday here in Pennsylvania for gun violence prevention because we know we must do better.

We ask that you honor Trayvon, his family and other victims of gun violence by continuing to join us in taking a stand against gun violence.

Thanks,

Shira Goodman
Executive Director 
CeaseFirePA