Zimmerman claims he was on his way to Target when he spotted Trayvon. So why did he need a gun?

[Fawke Em]

57. I'll agree it's legal... but I may differ on the "crazy."

Why the fuck would you need a firearm in a Target, walking around your neighborhood, whatever? Most people walk around everywhere without firearms and don't get accosted if they're paying attention to their surroundings.

My husband and I are both professionally trained in handling firearms (he was in the Army; I happened to be a police reporter who was covering a feature story on police training and participated in firearms and defensive driving training; hubby's training, of course, if more extensive than mine, but I did continue target practice for some time after receiving the training). Even with all that... we don't own any firearms because we both know that most gun deaths are accidental and we have a teenager and a small child.

You know what deters most criminals, btw? DOGS.

I take late-night walks with mine (decompression away from the house after the kids are in bed). I live in one of the most dog-friendly cities and can take them to most restaurants if I want. And, I don't shop after dark unless it's an emergency and a kid needs some cold/tummy/sinus meds.

I really don't get the need to carry a weapon when you're not hunting or are a police officer or whatever.