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From ThinkProgress:

George Zimmerman, who shot and killed Trayvon Martin on February 26, hasn’t just avoided arrest — he is still licensed to carry a concealed handgun in the State of Florida. This morning, local civil rights leaders called on Gov. Rick Scott (R) to suspend Zimmerman’s concealed carry permit to protect the public.

Wesley T. Leonard of the Florida Civil Rights Association, flanked by numerous civil rights attorneys, clergy and community activists, spoke outside the office of the state’s licensing division in Orlando. The group argues that “Mr. Zimmerman is not fit to maintain his license because he has demonstrated to be a clear threat to public safety.”

Ordinarily, a concealed permit in Florida can only be suspended after an arrest. But in an interview with ThinkProgress, Orlando civil rights attorney Shayan Elahi explained that Scott has broad executive powers that gives him the authority to suspend Zimmerman’s license in the name of pubic safety.

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Thus far, Scott’s administration is defending its decision to keep Zimmerman’s permit active, arguing that “short of a permit holder being convicted of a felony, the state does not have the authority to revoke a permit.”

See also:

• Fight the New Jim Crow: Justice for Trayvon Martin
• White People, You Will Never Look Suspicious Like Trayvon Martin
• If the roles were reversed, one wonders if a black teen could have killed and claimed self-defense
• City Commission, in 3-2 Vote, Has “No Confidence” in Sanford
• Central Florida cops routinely make arrests despite self-defense claims
• NAACP will turn over stories of Sanford police abuse to Department of Justice
• New details in George Zimmerman domestic-violence petitions
• Sign the Petition

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