[Craig T]

I agree that for 90% of home break in situations, owning a gun puts the homeowner in more danger of being hurt…Or worse, shooting somebody by accident.

In my nightmare above, the gun was there and ready, but ultimately it was the dog who diffused the situation. As others have said…If you are not willing to train, practice, and be prepared to use it…DON'T own one for that purpose. A dog is the MOST effective way to prevent a home invasion anyway.

The situation I was in did not just go away just because I had a gun ready. My wife was traumatized and neither of us sleep well for years. I would wake up in panic dreams and grab the gun. I eventually put it in a safe because I was afraid I might shoot my wife or daughter. We eventually moved to a gated property and bought a large mastiff.

Had I not had the dog and shot the invader, we would have a whole different set of emotional damage. …But I still keep a gun locked in a nightstand combination safe.