Home invasion victim charged with firearm violation -- Wilmette, IL

Chicago Tribune ^ | Lisa Black

[Jubal Harshaw]

A Wilmette homeowner who shot and wounded an intruder was charged today with violating the north suburb's ordinance banning handgun ownership.

If convicted, Hale DeMar, 54, faces a fine of up to $750.

"It would be unfortunate and potentially tragic to conclude from this incident that Wilmette families would be safer if they keep a handgun in their homes," Wilmette Police Chief George Carpenter said in a written statement. "The oppose it is true. Wilmette families are in greater danger if they keep a handgun at home."

[GGpaX4DumpedTea]

How can a law banning handgun ownership be constitutional? Where is the ACLU? Where is the outrage? It's a bloody shame!

[SeeRushToldU_So]

This is da chief.

[SeeRushToldU_So]

opps........

[ChefKeith]

If My Uncle (Chief for 20+ years after working His way up from Patrol) were still alive I'm sure He would just loved to SLAP! this pig up side the head.

This guy is a waste of sperm & egg!

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

How can a law banning handgun ownership be constitutional?

I was thinking the same thing. Surely this could easily be defeated in court in light of federal law.

[kimmie7]

Could you add me to the bang list, please?

Thanks!

[chicagolady]

Please read this article and use the phone numbers and e-mail links provided.

Ask Chief George Carpenter what he would have done if his home was invaded. Wait for the Police?? NOT!!
He is a hypocrite. He would have shot the guy in self defense the same way this homeowner did.

Anyone interested in going to court when this guys court date comes up??

5600 Old Orchard Skokie!

Please at least FReep these folks by phone and e-mail!!
Thanks sistergoldenhair for the heads up!!

[kimmie7]

doh! Just read your reply to the other request. I bookmarked. Thanks!

[El Gato]

Go out of state and buy it.

Great move, then he'd be up on federal firearms charges. It's illegal for a resident of a state(non FFL) to purchase a handgun from a dealer or an individual in another state. A long gun he could buy in a state bordering on his own.

[El Gato]

I do have a question - if a person owns a handgun before any law/ordinance is passed that outlaws handgun ownership - how is that defenseable in a REAL court of law?

Depends on what you mean by a REAL court of law. The Supreme Court is silent on the issue (since 1937 anyway, and then they were ambiguos). The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals says you don't have any right to keep that handgun, or any other gun. Confiscation of "contraband" doesn't fall under the 4th amendment either, at least in most cases. So you'd be screwed, blued and tattooed, if you lived in all but two or three of the US Appeals districts (the 5th, which ruled the 2nd amendment protects an indivdual right and I think one or two others that haven't ruled one way or the other, not sure about those.)

[El Gato]

Awwwwww Tommy where are ye when we need ya !

Whirling like hell in his grave, one would imagine. Wrap some wire around him (running parallel to his axis of rotation) and put him a strong magnetic field, and you could eliminate most every fossil fuel power plant in Virgina, DC and Maryland.

[Squantos]

Agree.......sad to think it would be easier to get to the end and start over vs recover from the seditious damage done to this nations infastructure. How long can the law abidding remain so if such insanity is heaped upon them from so many directions 24/7............

This case clearly says your house ain't !

Stay Safe !

[Squantos]

Agree..........every single socialist in this country that wants you disarmed has a firearm or an armed bodyguard, private or funded by taxpayers .......Doom on those that promote such to the citizens of this nation.

Stay Safe Ya'll !

[zarf]

He'll deal with that after he shoots the intruder threatening his life.

If never faces a life threatening situation, his gun will remain safely tucked away and no one will ever know.

[July 4th]

Yup. Pay the money, be happy you're alive. Definitely a shot that was worth $750.

[endthematrix]

Was the article to large to post in full?

I will try to make his court date to him my support and to show the court, police and city officials my disgust! Where are the TRT?

[Hibernius Druid]

We have an office in Wilmette, in the Bahai Temple area where this shooting occurred. The DeMar home is in a secluded, private area where the home invader (second time) might easily have slaughtered the entire DeMar family without their neighbors being any the wiser.

Like many so police chiefs, Wilmette Police Chief George Carpenter heels to the arrogantly liberal city council that holds his short leash. Rank-and-file police officers usually have quite a different take on matters like this.

There are no grounds for Carpenter's smug assertion that most Wilmetteans support his treatment of Mr. DeMar, whom we celebrate as the HERO he is. Let's hope O'Reilly and others spotlight this story of a brave citizen defending his family and homestead.

[TheBattman]

Depends on what you mean by a REAL court of law

That's what I was trying to emphasize. How could any court that reads the letter of the Constitution could allow such unconstitutional laws.

[TeleStraightShooter]

Here is link to an alternate site:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=36542

[Fledermaus]

I'm glad we don't have such ridiculous laws here in Tennessee.

Here we have the right to defend our homes and the criminal is actually considered the offender.

Amazing concept, isn't it?