Everybody thinks they need a pistol or a fancy AR-15 to protect their homes. The best strategy: A $500 pump shotgun. Why? - safer around kids - wayyy easier to use - legal everywhere in US Why pump? Racking a shell into the chamber is the most horrifying sound in the world. 90% chance the person in your house is no longer interested in your stuff after that. A shotgun is also 100x easier to use than a pistol - your wife could be effective shooting from the hip. Without practice people can’t hit anything with a pistol. A pump is more reliable than a semi automatic (though I also own an M4). Bonus points: Don’t sleep with a sound machine and NEVER go looking for trouble if somebody is in your house. Take the family into the bedroom of your youngest and let them rob your house and leave. Practice this plan with your kids. I like the Mossberg 500 ATI or Benelli Supernova - I like the pistol grip. Every man with a family should own one of these and practice handling & shooting it. Cheap insurance.