Zimmerman's auction of gun used to kill Trayvon Martin back online

LAKE MARY, Fla., May 12 (UPI) -- George Zimmerman, the self-appointed neighborhood watch captain who was acquitted of second-degree murder in the killing Trayvon Martin three years ago, has relisted for sale the handgun used to shoot the Florida teen in 2012.

A one-day auction on Gunbroker.com was scheduled to begin Thursday morning, with a starting bid of $5,000, but was pulled before it could start. The page that once linked to the auction stated, "Sorry, but the item you have requested is no longer in the system."

Gunbroker later issued a statement in which it said, "We want no part in the listing on our website."

A short time later, however, the handgun reappeared for sale on UnitedGunGroup.com.

"Gunbroker was not prepared for the traffic and publicity surrounding the auction of my firearm," Zimmerman wrote in an email to The Washington Post.

"I talked to George Zimmerman earlier today and told him that as long as all laws are being followed, he can list the gun on our site," UnitedGunGroup's owner, Todd Underwood, told the Post. "I don't support it, I don't condone it, I don't have anything against it. It's his property, it's his decision."

Zimmerman was charged with second-degree murder after Trayvon's February 2012 shooting, sparking a nationwide debate over Florida's so-called "stand your ground" laws and race relations.

Calling the weapon an "American Firearm Icon," Zimmerman said his gun is "fully functional as the attempts by the Department of Justice on behalf of [President Barack Obama] to render the firearm inoperable were thwarted by my phenomenal defense attorney." Zimmerman said the sale date marked the one-year anniversary he was allegedly shot by Matthew Apperson during a dispute.

Zimmerman said a portion of the proceeds would be used to "fight [Black Lives Matter] violence against law enforcement officers, ensure the demise of Angela [Corey's] persecution career and Hillary Clinton's anti-firearm rhetoric. "

Corey was appointed special prosecutor by Florida Gov. Rick Scott to investigate Martin's death.

Zimmerman told WOFL Fox 35 news he has had death threats since putting the gun up for auction.

"What I've decided to do is not cower," he said. "I'm a free American. I can do what I want with my possessions."

"Why shouldn't he be selling it?" Underwood asked. "Parents lost their child and as a father it breaks my heart to even contemplate going through what they went through. But when you look at the facts of the case, he was charged and he was exonerated by a jury of his peers. This shouldn't even be a story. A gentleman who did nothing wrong is selling a personal possession of his to the highest bidder."

The Martin family did not comment specifically on the sale, but said, "The Trayvon Martin Foundation is committed to its mission of ending senseless gun violence in the United States. This election season, we are laser focused on furthering that mission. As such, the foundation has no comment on the actions of that person."