Designs,
The evidence points to Treyvon being on top of George and hitting him, I accept that. But as EP said the overwhelming responsibility for nothing happening was on George, remember the training given to those who carry- Avoid Avoid Avoid.
EP has given some good advice for gun owners, which I agree with. However his comments are at best specific to the state in which he lives. Laws on this vary greatly from state to state to state.
Even within EP's state (Whatever that is) I don't think he has addressed the issue of multiple incidents, which is a very common scenario in self defense cases.
Simple example: A burglar breaks into someone's house. The homeowner points a gun at them. The burglar flees. The homeowner chases the burglar out of the house and onto the street in anger and frustration. In the eyes of the law, the original altercation ends when the burglar gets clear of the house (Or property depending upon the state) and an entirely new one begins. --One in which the homeowner is the aggressor and the burglar may legally use deadly force in self defense.
Despite whatever you or I or EP may think George Zimmerman did wrong upfront, the fact remains that the two individuals lost contact with each other. Both Prosecution and Defense agreed on this. Martin had time to talk to his girlfriend from (According to her) a position of relative safety outside the home in which he was staying.
Two possible things happened at this point:
a. Zimmerman heads south, finds Martin and confronts him.
b. Martin heads north, finds Zimmerman and confronts him.
EP's comments are not relavant to 'B' here. Your responsibility as a gun owner does not extend to situations where you are confronted and physically acosted. Not in Florida.
One of the most aggravating things about this case is the small amount of evidence and I understand the frustration of some here on JWN. The whole thing feels wrong to them at a gut level, perhaps because Martin was a minor.
I don't see that as justifying all the grasping at straws on these threads though. It is ludicrous to see evidence that Zimmerman actually did things 'right' (As in not striking Martin) used against him. I understand most here were JW's and probably have no formal training with firearms and self defense law, but good grief!