OK, I am going to interject my $.02 worth here on what I have learned:
First, I would hope that for those who have children, that you would first IDENTIFY who hase broken into your house BEFORE you pull the trigger. There are WAY too many cases of a father killing his own children accidentally when he THOUGHT it was a burgler, and chose to shoot first, and identify later. ALWAYS and I mean without a SINGLE FAULT, ALWAYS identify your target before you shoot.
second, there are very valid points that suggest a shotgun is better for home defense over a handgun... ANYONE can go to a range with a handgun and calmly pull the trigger and get a nice grouping of the rounds, but try this when you have just been woken up, 5cc's of adrenaline pumping through your veins, you are nervous, scared for your family, and then BAM! you run face to face with a burgler, NOW try and calmly pull the trigger and get some good group on a possible moving target...A shotgun can take MANY projectiles (read shot) and send them in a larger grouping. i.e. you dont have to be a perfect shot to still fu&k a burglers day up. I have a handgun for self defense, but I will grab my shotgun WAY before I grab the pistol if I suspect someone has entered my home.
Also...
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In Texas, you don't need "reasonable threat" when they are in your home. When their foot crosses the doorway, they are fair game. Shoot him in the back to slow him down and shoot him in the face to finish the job.
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In the state of texas, even if you felt threatened, you CAN NOT, and I have asked a local sheriff that I know, you CAN NOT shoot a burgler in the back, unless YOU are outside, and he is entering your home where you know for a fact a family member is inside. You cant just sneak up behind the guy and unload into his back. This also goes against the "identify your target" plan. Don't EVER EVER EVER pull the trigger until you know WHO you are shooting. Innocent people get killed that way.
Every state has its own laws regarding home defense. I would suggest ANYONE who is thinking of purchasing a firearm of any type to consult your local laws BEFORE you make the purchase.