Plagued by problems even more serious than his inability to read directions on Trojan wrappers, rapper Lil Wayne pleaded guilty to felony gun possession charges this morning, agreeing to spend a year behind bars as a result.

Couldn't happen to a better guy.

Wayne, whose real name is Dwayne Carter, 27, faced myriad charges after a loaded 9mm gun was discovered in his tour bus almost two years ago.

This morning he bit the bullet and pleaded guilty to attempted possession of a weapon in the second degree, sparing him a much longer sentence.

The surprise plea came in the middle of what was expected to be a lengthy pre-trial hearing. Asked if he was ready to plea, Lil Wayne said "Yes, sir."

He accepted the terms and that was pretty much it.

Lil Wayne will be trading in those fancy threads for an orange jumpsuit shortly.

Clad in black jeans and a white T-shirt under a blue, fur-lined coat, Wayne, who is free on bail, then left the court with a heavily blinged-out entourage.

Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Charles Solomon called it "a greatly reduced sentence." He will be officially sentenced and head to jail in February.

If you're Lil Wayne and looking for a silver lining here, at least he won't be knocking up anyone else for a while, if you know what we're saying.

We're saying he fathers many children.