A 62-year-old man in suburban Chicago is facing firearm charges after he accidentally shot himself in the leg while asleep, mistaking a dream of a home invasion for reality.

The incident occurred on April 10, when Lake County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a distress call from the man’s home in Lake Barrington. The man had suffered a gunshot wound to his leg and was rapidly losing blood. The deputies applied a tourniquet and rushed him to the hospital, where he underwent surgery.

The man told investigators that he had been having a dream in which someone was breaking into his home. In the dream, he retrieved his .357 Magnum revolver and shot at who he believed was the intruder. However, he woke up to find that he had actually shot himself in the leg.

The man’s firearm was seized by law enforcement, and he was charged with two felony counts: possession of a firearm without a valid FOID card and reckless discharge of a firearm. A warrant was issued for his arrest, and he was taken into custody on June 9. He has since posted bond and is scheduled for a court hearing on June 29.

This incident is a cautionary tale about the importance of firearm safety. When handling a firearm, it is always important to be aware of your surroundings and to make sure that you are not pointing the gun at anything you do not intend to shoot. It is also important to keep firearms unloaded and out of the reach of children and unauthorized individuals.

The man in this case is fortunate to have survived his mistake. However, his story serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of carelessness when handling firearms.

Here are some additional safety tips to keep in mind:

  • Always treat every gun as if it were loaded.
  • Never point a gun at anything you do not intend to shoot.
  • Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
  • Be aware of your surroundings and make sure that you are not pointing the gun at anyone.
  • Store firearms unloaded and in a safe place.