I didn't read every single post but just wanted to through something into the mix.
While personally I clear my home myself, I did read an article by I believe a Defense Attorney in Texas that had a breakin. His wife and child were in the bedroom and he went into the living room with a 12 gauge and had to defend himself against intruders. He was fine, but at least one of the intruders died from his wounds.
He was of course not found at fault, but he said (not direct quote but close) 'If it happened again I would just stay put in the bedroom with my family and wait for police to arrive, my big screen TV and other items are not worth having to take someone's life'.
So if you think about the emotional impact, staying put in your 'safe room' could be just that much more likely you can escape the event without having to use your weapon.
While personally I clear my home myself, I did read an article by I believe a Defense Attorney in Texas that had a breakin. His wife and child were in the bedroom and he went into the living room with a 12 gauge and had to defend himself against intruders. He was fine, but at least one of the intruders died from his wounds.
He was of course not found at fault, but he said (not direct quote but close) 'If it happened again I would just stay put in the bedroom with my family and wait for police to arrive, my big screen TV and other items are not worth having to take someone's life'.
So if you think about the emotional impact, staying put in your 'safe room' could be just that much more likely you can escape the event without having to use your weapon.