We wrote last week about 81-year-old Homer Wright who defended his Chicago tavern from a burglar by shooting the intruder in the leg. The only fly in his successful self-defense ointment was the fact that he’s a twice convicted felon and thus unable to legally possess a gun. But Homer got some good news when, during a court appearance yesterday, prosecutors took the path of least popular resistance and dropped the weapons charge against the octogenarian. Not willing to let sleeping dogs lie, though, Wright says he’ll re-arm himself . . .
The coppers confiscated the gun Wright used against Anthony Robinson. So, in a blatant violation of his right to STFU, he’s vowed to a suntimes.com reporter to do it all again.
Wright said he will buy another one if he gets the chance.
“I’ll get arrested again, if somebody be breaking in here. I’m going to use it,” Wright said.
“If the opportunity presents itself, I sure am,” Wright said. “If somebody came by with one that’s clean, I’m gonna buy it.”
Wright said it’s unfair that he has been left with nothing to defend himself.
Valid as that complaint may be, Mr. Wright’s just given a hypothetical future DA plenty of ammunition to prosecute him should an un-armed hoodie-wearing miscreant let himself into the bar in search of booty again. Never mind the fact that people will probably be beating a path to his door for the chance to sell him a new mohaska. Illegally.
We never recommend that anyone break the law. And even if your record is pure as the wind driven snow on Lake Shore Drive, broadcasting how ready you are to use your gun on someone opens up an unnecessary world of potential future legal hurt. In Homer’s case, the damage is pretty much done. Here’s hoping he never has to use that gun he doesn’t have. Or may buy. Or not.