Ok, if I shouldn't _shoot_ the intruder, then...?

[ivan_astikov]

@Cluricaun

You do not shoot to kill, you shoot to stop. Often times the level of force needed to assure that your attacker stops will be lethal, but the mindset is not one of premeditated murder. If three to the center mass drops your attacker, you certainly don’t finish him off with a headshot to make sure. That’s shooting to kill.

Anyone who carries a weapon or maintains one for home defense would be well served to read up on the expert advice of Massad Ayoob, a former police officer, firearms instructor, and expert trial witness. He’s seen more good shoots framed as bad ones by prosecuting attorneys than nearly anyone else alive and has solid gold advice on what to do before becoming armed and what to do after having to make the decision to engage with a firearm. Jeff Cooper and the like are good for the actual training, but there’s a great deal more to it than just pulling the bang switch. If you make the decision to become armed, make sure that you make an informed decision and educate yourself as much as possible on both tactics and technique as well as legally safeguarding yourself in the event that you ever need to actually use it.

Yes, because in that moment when you wake up in the middle of the night hearing noises downstairs, and the only other person who should be in the house is lying beside you, all those things would go through your mind.

The point is, to make your house that much of a deterrent for all except the homicidal nutjob burglar - who tends to just kick your front door in while you are having your tea - rather than have to worry about what you will do if someone gets in.