In 2004, Hale DeMar a homeowner in a north suburb of Chicago was charged for violating a state law that required firearm owners to have a valid Firearm Owner's Identification card.  He was also charged with possession of a handgun.

DeMar was arrested after he shot Mario Billings, a criminal with a long history.  At the time he was shot he was breaking into DeMar's home.  DeMar shot at Billings four times, hitting him twice.  He fled the scene and was later arrested at an area hospital.  Incidently, he drove DeMar's vehicle to the hospital.  You see  he had stolen the vehicle from DeMar's house the night before, when he had broke in the first time.

As a result of this shooting, the State Legislature passed a law making it legal to use a handgun in self-defense in your own home.  State Senator Barack Obama voted against it.