I have to say, I am honestly impressed by almost every post in this thread with the exception of a couple (not that my opinion matters either way). I am glad to see the responsibility most are relaying, not only responsibility for their guns, but also for their own safety.
I'm a Sergeant with a small PD. I've worked for some pretty large agencies, worked SWAT for 7-years, ran a sniper team for a few and throughout have been a range master at each department. I've been shot at, shot people and had one friend/partner and another very close friend/partner shot and killed during my tenure. I'm not trying to impress anyone with any of this, just making the point that I have experienced some things rather than just relying on what "experts" say.
What I will offer from my own, personal perspective, is if you don't have a gun when you need it, you will regret it. I keep one in my bedroom along with a small dog that hears everything (so it will wake me up instead of the bad guy). If someone is in your house, you are already a victim, whether you like it or not. The only question that remains is, "What are you prepared to do about it." I for one, refuse to stand by and watch something happen to my wife or kids, especially if I could have prevented it. Like Dr. Moab said...Sure it MAY be possible for someone to take my gun and kill me, but they are going to get hurt or dead in the process and my family knows to be running the whole time. That's another thing that a lot of people overlook...What your family should do when things go bad. Mine knows to get the hell away from me because I can't get away if I have to stay and protect them. If they can get to safety, then maybe I can get to safety.
I get super tired of anti-gun folks purporting that LE does not like armed citizens. I for one, love them...when they are responsible. Every cop I've ever worked with feels exactly the same, as I have never heard any say otherwise. I'm sure some exist somewhere, I've just never met any.
As for statistical data, I can almost guarantee it doesn't exist. Some people might have numbers compiled, but as we all know, those are often swayed to whatever outcome a person wants and many times, are just plain false. This is a never-ending argument that can never be ended no matter what "proof" is offerred, as people on each side of the fence will rarely allow themselves to be swayed (I know I won't).
As for the statement that you don't want a bad guy to learn your position from racking your shotgun...well, I argee and disagree. I agree that your gun should be ready and you should be prepared to use it (no posturing and hoping the badguy won't call your bluff). On the other hand, if the bad guy knows he's about to get his ass handed to him, he's likely to think twice. Every person I've ever interviewed after our team made a dynamic entry (fast, loud, shouting, etc.) on them, despite whether they were armed or not, has said the same thing. They lost at least some of their nerve knowing that the other side meant business.
But like I said...it's just my opinion.
