The Buckeye Firearms Foundation said its members have raised more than $12,000 to help defend George Zimmerman, who’s been the subject of widespread threats after his acquittal of murder and manslaughter charges in the killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

The Ohio group said the money can be used to buy guns or a security system for Mr. Zimmerman, a Florida resident, The Associated Press reported.

A spokesman for the group said its members were concerned that Mr. Zimmerman’s rights were being violated. Ken Hanson, on the group’s behalf, said they’ve sent him a check for $12,150.37, AP reported.

Mr. Zimmerman was supposed to have his gun returned after he was cleared of all criminal charges from the February 2012 shooting. But the U.S. Department of Justice confiscated his weapon, saying it’s still part of an ongoing investigation.

The Justice Department has not yet confirmed whether the federal government will launch a civil suit against him.

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