Besides, a shotgun is far more intimidating than a little handgun. It's an unfortunate sign of the times that people feel threatened in their own homes. You can avoid going to places where you're vulnerable but you can't avoid going home. In 30 per cent of the incidents where a burglar was confronted by a household member, a violent crime was committed. Don't be deluded by thinking it's just some neighborhood kid after your stereo.
Burglars are professionals.
Many burglars don't care if you're home or not. A motorist once broke down right in front of my house. I could see he was having car trouble. He came to the door and I let him in to the phone in the front hall. But I wondered why he looked so nervous.