I have not said much about the trial since the case was futile...when the defendant is the only one left to tell the story, its hard to prove a case. But its the gun control issue that I find more interesting and I would like your opinion VS board.

Hannity said 99% of gun owners are law abiding people who can be trusted with a weapon and its the 1% that are crazy and we can't cure crazy. Well, I never believed him when he said this after Newtown and the GZ case proves him wrong I believe. The issue I have with GZ is I don't believe he thought through the responsibility of carrying a weapon and being a Neighborhood Watch dude. He needed to know the answers to basic "what-if" questions. Under what circumstances would I draw my weapon, when would I fire a warning shot, when would I shoot to maim, when would I shoot to kill? If I was in a fist fight, would I shoot to kill? If I was in a knife fight, would I shoot to kill. I think if GZ had a good grasp on his rules of engagement, TM would still be alive because he easily had many option open to him other than shooting to kill. If you are in a fist fight and the police have already been called (GZ claims they came 15 seconds after the shot), wouldn't you continue the fight without shooting your weapon lethally? The chance of dying in a fist fight is ...well when is the last time you can document death in a fist fight? This fight was not going to go on much longer. Even if you believe GZ's story (which Voljean has correctly refuted many parts), if he had the ability to pull his gun from a holster while being beaten to a pulp, he had the ability to defend himself with his hands - if TM had his hands on his nose and mouth, could GZ not defend with his own. He did weigh 40 lbs more. Maybe George took a few more blows in 15 seconds but eventually this fight was going to be arrested by neighbors or cops. No need to fire a weapon lethally...he should have thought it through many months before.

So my request to all you conceal/carry folks is to really think through your rules of engagement now before you have to brandish your weapon. Use the GZ trial to really make you think about your own practices.==============================

Under what circumstances would I draw my weapon?  

When the actions of someone else threaten my home or the lives of myself, my friends, or my family. 

When would I fire a warning shot?

 Never.

When would I shoot to maim?

Never. 

When would I shoot to kill?

The second after I decided to draw.  

If I was in a fist fight, would I shoot to kill?

 Yes, if I felt that my life was in danger.  More importantly, I wouldn't START a fist fight, and would be even more diligent about diffusing one if I were carrying.  

If I was in a knife fight, would I shoot to kill?

Yes. 

 Fortunately, my dedication to these rules has never been challenged.  I sincerely hope it never is.