George Zimmerman Auctioning Pistol Used in Self Defense Shooting
Update – Auction Terminated Before it Even Started
The February 26, 2012 self-defense shooting of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman seems so long ago now. The case divided much of the nation, stirred up protests – some violent, and had many CCW-ers putting themselves in Zimmerman’s position: what if I had to defend myself with lethal force? An unpleasant enough prospect, even without having your name publicly dragged through the mud in nationwide news coverage that resulted in receiving numerous death threats.
Since the trial, Zimmerman has been periodically popping up in news feeds for various shenanigans, including being arrested for allegations of aggravated assault and domestic violence (twice), being shot at in an apparent road rage incident, getting caught speeding, and ruffling feathers on social media with a number of controversial posts, mainly on his now-banned Twitter account. Now, in his latest bid (no pun intended) for the limelight – and some extra walking-around money – Zimmerman is auctioning off the KelTec PF-9 pistol that was used in the self defense shooting.
The auction, which runs on Gun Broker (auction #558112068), begins today at 11AM with a starting bid of $5,000. Clearly never one to avoid getting in a few jabs, the auction listing has the following description: Continue reading
Texas Plumber Suing Dealership After Work Truck Ends Up in Hands of Terrorists
Photo: Twitter
One year after Mark Oberholtzer’s story went viral when his former work truck ended up in terrorist hands, the 62 year old Texas plumber is back in the news – this time, seeking amends from the dealership who said they would “handle” his trade-in.
Back in October of 2013, Oberholtzer traded in his black 2005 Ford F-250 for a newer 2012 model. When he started to peel the decals with his company’s information from the sides of the vehicle, a salesman at AutoNation Ford Gulf Freeway in Houston stopped him and told him that they would take care of it so that the paint would not be damaged. Clearly they dropped the ball.
In November of 2013, the truck was sold at auction and, one month later, shipped to Turkey before making its way to Syria. In December 2014, photos of Islamic terrorists firing an anti-aircraft gun from the truck – with Olberholtzer’s company name and phone number still intact – hit twitter and skyrocketed to viral status with millions of views. The photos appear to be stills from a video by Jabhat Ansar al-Din, an Islamic jihadist movement operating in Syria.
As the photo picked up traction, Olberholtzer’s phones were ringing off the hook. His company received thousands of calls that included angry verbal harassment and death threats directed at him and his employees. They even got a visit from the FBI and DHS. As a result, he had to temporarily shutter the business and leave town to escape the harassment.
Olberholtzer is now suing the dealership for compensation in excess of $1 million for the financial losses and reputation damage suffered by him and his company. The full text of the lawsuit is below. Continue reading
130 Year Old Winchester Rifle Found in Great Basin National Park
The Winchester Repeating Rifle Model 1873 was so prevalent on the American frontier – with nearly 3/4 of a million produced between 1873 and 1916 – that it was dubbed The Gun that Won the West. One particular 1873 was also The Gun that was Lost in the West.
Workers in Nevada’s Great Basin National Park found the rifle propped against a tree last November and have been working to track down its origins. Although severely weathered after having been exposed to the elements, the rifle appears to be in relatively good condition with the serial number and other barrel markings readable. Those markings were used to help trace the rifle back to its 1882 date of manufacter, according to records held at the Cody Firearms Museum’s Center for the West in Cody, Wyoming.
It is unclear exactly how long the rifle has been waiting to be discovered in Great Basin NP or why it was left there. Researchers continue to hunt for clues to find out whether it was left there by a forgetful real life Old West cowboy or perhaps in more recent decades by a hunter who may have lost track of the lever-action rifle during a pit stop.
Although the date of manufacture was tracked down, there do not appear to be any records of who purchased the rifle or from which warehouse it was shipped. According to the park’s Facebook page, more than 25,000 such rifles were produced that year with a price tag of $25, lowered that year from the original price of $50. The historic firearm will be preserved the condition in which was found – including weathered wood and rusted metal – to become part of the display commemorating the park’s 30th year in 2016.
Check out more photos below from the US National Park Service: Continue reading
Texas Plumber’s Former Truck Gets Weapons Upgrade
…In The Hands of Syrian Extremists!
Photo: Twitter
Texas plumber Mark Oberholtzer traded in his old work pickup truck at a Houston dealership more than a year ago and didn’t think any more about it. That is, until he started receiving threats.
Islamic extremist group Ansar al-Deen Front recently posted a photograph of the “upgraded” truck on Twitter. Modifications to the F-250 include mounting an anti-aircraft gun in the bed of the pickup but, unfortunately for Oberholtzer, did not include removing his company’s decals – including his telephone number.
As a result of the photo – shown at right with company information obscured – circulating around the internet, the plumbing company has been inundated with calls and faxes – many of them threatening.
The Ford dealership says that the traded-in truck went to auction shortly after they took possession of it and likely changed hands multiple times before ending up on the front lines of the ongoing Syrian civil war.
As much as many firearms enthusiasts would enjoy having their vehicle outfitted to include heavy duty firepower, this is certainly now how they would like to have it done – or how to find out about it. Company representatives have been cited as saying that they would be certain to remove their decals from future trade-ins.
DPMS PANTHER ARMS PREPARED FOR OUTBREAK: OMEGA V
St Cloud, MN – DPMS Firearms, (DPMS), an industry leader in providing quality AR-style rifles, components and accessories, is proud to welcome the nation’s best zombie hunters to Outbreak: Omega V on June 23. The event, now in its fifth year, is the original, largest, and most well-attended recreational “zombie shoot” in the world.
Among the event highlights:
- 24 shooting stages that include pistol, shotgun and rifle
- Sponsored stages that allow shooters to “test drive” new firearms
- Active targets add an element of surprise to test participants’ skills
- Prizes and giveaways worth more than $95,000
The event is being held at Ahlman’s in Morristown, Minnesota. The event site boasts more than Continue reading
Gun Found in Carry-On Discharges, Officer Hit in Face
A police officer at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia was struck in the face when a pistol that he found in a passenger’s carry-on luggage discharged.
Security screeners discovered the .22 Magnum revolver as they x-rayed a carry-on bag taken through security by 43 year old Richard Popkin, of Georgia. Atlanta police officer NJ Phillips was notified and responded to the call to secure the firearm, which was loaded with five rounds of “snake shot,” ammunition loaded with small pellets used for killing snakes and other small animals.
As Phillips spoke with Popkin about how to clear the firearm, he unintentionally fired a shot from the revolver. Luckily, the firearm was pointed in the relatively safe direction of a screening table; however, Phillips reported that he was grazed by a pellet fragment on the left side of his face, which left no visible injuries.
