Originally Posted by Mike McLellan

I doubt that home-owners insurance would cover the amount of collateral damage that you're likely to incur with a shotgun. If you have to actually shoot an intruder in you living room, not only will you splatter blood & tissue all over the ceiling and walls, you will ruin the carpet as well. You may say that it was a small cost to pay for your family's safety, but I prefer a .22 magnum. Chances are, you won't immediately kill your target and he might make out the front on his own power. The bark & bite of a .22 magnum will scare the heck out of any but the most whacked-out intruders. You may have to shoot more than once, but you can do so without destroying your house.