“People are at a point where they are protecting themselves.”

Self-defense is catching on in the Windy City. I don't expect that the bad guys will change their ways because of it. Man critically injures alleged home invader | WGN-TV

It has gotten to the point that neighbors are no longer shocked. More on that in a minute.

This incident took place in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood, which is on the northwest side of the city.

Police say a man allegedly walked into a home in the area without permission and was shot twice by the 26-year-old homeowner.

The guy who got shot was taken to a local hospital where he was in critical condition. Given neighbors reported 5 gunshots, he is probably lucky to be alive. Though he was only hit twice. (More time at the range for everyone!)

UPDATE: Home invasion suspect shot by homeowner dies.

Alexis Quiles, 39, was pronounced dead at 12:24 p.m. Tuesday at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

As for the neighbors... 5 years ago there would have been shock and dismay at that fact that crime had come to their quiet neighborhood.

“For the most part, this block is generally pretty peaceful,” Andre Davis told WGN News. “But it definitely hits close to home. I don’t know what happened to the offender. That’s what happens, though. People are at a point where they are protecting themselves.”

People have reached that point, because the Criminal Justice System in Chicago, and in other places as well, is broken. Cops cannot pursue suspects in Chicago. Car chases and even foot chases require authorization that never comes in time. When suspects are arrested they are not held, because cash bail is unfair, or something. And the State's Attorney for Chicago and Cook county can't be bothered to prosecute. That office has declined to prosecute murders when there was video evidence of the crime. If they won't prosecute murder, and they treat shoplifting as a right, why should anyone assume they will do anything about home invasion?

You can find what I usually say about Hobbes, his book Leviathan, and the breakdown of law and order, and what it means for society as a whole, at this link.

In the meantime, self-defense is a human-right. It remains to be seen if the State's Attorney believes it to be a legal right.