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I agree with Grizzly about layers of defense. That is always the best approach to mitigate any risk. For detective controls, a loud home alarm and a barking dog are a good first line of defense:
1) It let’s the intruder know they are detected and gives them a chance to rethink their actions before the stakes go up.
2) The detective controls alert you to the threat and buy you time to locate a weapon (corrective control)
You obviously don’t want to have to shoot anyone, but having that option is a good piece of mind and might be the only thing that can save your family.
In terms of weapons, I would stay away from the .22, 9mm, and even 10mm. They tend to put holes in people, but go out the other side. A nice .357, .40, or ,.45 typically do a better job of transferring more kinetic energy to your attacker and that translates to stopping power.
I would also not recommend a shotgun. Yes the sound of a 12 gauge pumping is a good deterrent in and of itself, and if you do line up a good shot, you will likely paint the wall with your attacker, but in my experience clearing rooms, I would want something much much shorter – picture coming around a corner and running into your attacker at less than arm’s length – I would take an pistol over a shotgun any day in that scenario.
An MP5 would be my weapon of choice in reclaiming my house, but most of us (including me these days) do not have access to such a wonderful tool. In the absence of that, a good old fashioned M1911A1 or .45 revolver should be all that is needed.
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