I don't think anyone should keep a gun in the house (or own one for that matter) who doesn't know that gun through and through. To the point where the gun becomes an extension of yourself. I, like most of you fellas, would have identified the individual from a different vantage point if at all possible, made sure they heard me yelling through the door too. If they would have forced their way into my home, I'd let my Rem. 870 do the talking ...but not until they were inside my home.