Martin Shkreli wants Zimmerman's gun that killed Trayvon Martin now up for auction
Two of America’s most hated men, “pharma bro” Martin Shkreli and ground-stander George Zimmerman, came to symbolic blows over the gun that killed unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin this week.
#TrayvonMartin 's 21st birthday: The world remembers https://t.co/o4kVYaGpVBpic.twitter.com/F0X3FvGYSc
— RT (@RT_com) February 6, 2016
The man known for jacking up the price on critical prescription drugs, and risking the lives of thousands of people who couldn’t afford it, said he may buy the deadly weapon Zimmerman put up for auction.
“The only reason I would bid on the Zimmerman gun would be to destroy it or put it in a museum as a disgusting reminder of racism in the US,” Shkreli tweeted on Thursday.
The only reason I would bid on the Zimmerman gun would be to destroy it or put it in a museum as a disgusting reminder of racism in the US.
— Martin Shkreli (@MartinShkreli) May 12, 2016
Zimmerman announced on Wednesday that he was putting the Kel-Tec PF-9 9mm handgun up for auction, describing it as a “Firearm Icon” and “piece of American History.”
i'm sure the highest bidder for George Zimmerman's handgun just wants it to compliment his Nazi memorabilia and KKK action doll collection.
— 5 Second Ruler (@RScottReedy) May 13, 2016
Just found some nazi memorabilia in a #LibDem Flea Market in Pickering.... 😱 pic.twitter.com/Bpz8HvByAy
— Liam R. Angus (@LiamAngus) March 28, 2016
Don't like the Nazi memorabilia @altrinchammkt Who would buy that?!! pic.twitter.com/7FqoiFDndg
— Julia Millington PT (@JuliaMillington) July 23, 2015
Should flea markets let ppl sell #nazi memorabilia? Police responded in 1 town where it happened, Story @ 11 pic.twitter.com/oRljwBfZzY
— Josh Scheinblum (@joshshiney) July 11, 2015
The Florida native previously sold a number of his Confederate Flag paintings to pay for his legal fees, but on this occasion he says he's selling the gun to "fight BLM violence against Law Enforcement officers" as well as "Hillary Clinton's anti-firearm rhetoric."
@blastnost poor George Zimmerman is merely supplementing his main source of income these days, Confederate flags https://t.co/IvGqKdv5Rs
— Jones Murphy (@JonesMurphy) May 14, 2016
The current highest bid stands at $66 million, although it’s almost certainly a prank bid.
The most “legitimate” one is reportedly $415,000, according to TMZ.
Shkreli didn’t indicate how much he would offer, but his comments started a flame war with Zimmerman defenders on social media.
Some suggested that a man with a gun and violent history was less of a threat than an unarmed boy.
@MartinShkreli WHAT'S FUCKING RACIST ABOUT SELF DEFENSE ?
— francis simon (@itsfrancissimon) May 13, 2016
@MartinShkreli@EWDolan it wasn't about racism... don't believe the narrative. They twisted the facts to make news just like they did with u
— Alex Wiant (@Realalexwiant) May 14, 2016
@MartinShkreli it belongs in a museum to be cherished and as a reminder of what happens to thugs
— Sentrywitz (@donald_bill) May 12, 2016
@MartinShkreli "racism" lolol. If someone is on top of me beating me trying to kill me, I'd shoot them too idc what color they are????
— Ethan Young (@youngETHANyoung) May 13, 2016
Shkreli was apparently swayed by the onslaught of tweets by replying to one user that he was “reviewing the case.”
The former Turing Pharmaceuticals CEO added that he “may be right” to suggest that Zimmerman had just been defending himself, before teasing that he didn’t want the gun at all.
@GrayerDreams i actually just started reviewing the case. you may be right. either way i don't want the gun!
— Martin Shkreli (@MartinShkreli) May 13, 2016
