[David N.]

I prefer a shotgun when it comes to active home protection. It minimizes the chance of accidentally hitting someone else (I'm more worried about thin walls than bad aim), and it's a really great form of passive protection. There's a reason cops will always have them, the sound of the pump alone is sometimes enough to dissuade an intruder.

Although first I would recommend some security company signs (even fakes ones) and a good home emergency plan for everyone in the house to know and practice.

-David