Disabled Maine Retiree Sues Landlord To Reclaim 2A Rights

A disabled former lobsterman and volunteer police officer who bought a firearm to protect himself—only to have his landlord threaten to evict him unless he gives up owning the gun—has filed suit against the property management company denying his rights. 

In September, 67-year-old Harvey Lembo, who uses a wheelchair, has numerous health problems, and has been the victim of five burglaries, used a revolver that he’d bought only hours earlier to stop a home invader who’d come to steal his prescription pain medications. His landlord then gave him an ultimatum: Surrender the gun, or find somewhere else to live. So Lembo filed suit to reclaim his rights.

“Threatening to evict Mr. Lembo for defending himself clearly violates his constitutional rights,” said John Hohenwarter, NRA-ILA’s Maine state liaison. “Self-defense is a fundamental, God-given right that belongs to every law-abiding American—no matter their tax bracket, zip code or street address.”