Trayvon Martin protester would rather die than use gun in self-defense

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Atlanta Wednesday to protest “Stand Your Ground” laws, marking the one-year anniversary of the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

One woman even told CBS Atlanta that she’d rather die than use a weapon in self-defense.

“Self defense is not an option, it is not an option,” she told CBS‘ Christopher King. “They’ll just have to kill me, Christopher.”

Many protesters held up signs reading, “Stop the gun violence.” Other held signs honring Mr. Martin. They’re calling on an end to policies that they say could help prevent tragedies.

Even though the death of Mr. Martin was in Florida, Georgia has similar self-defense laws that say it is not a crime punishable by law if someone can prove they were protecting themselves.

One Second Amendment rights supporter says that abolishing such a law would only hurt the victims.

“Gun control disarms victims, not criminals,” his sign read. He told CBS Atlanta that “people should have the right to defend themselves.”

Mr. Martin was shot and killed by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, last year. Mr. Zimmerman said he was protecting himself after the teenager allegedly attacked him. He is currently on trial for second-degree murder.

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