That's funny; we don't see the usual diatribe in favor of "GunControl" (AKA "Victim Disarmament") one might expect in a more "Progresive" comunity. Could it be that "Reality" is finally making some inroads, here?

From a tactical standpoint, I would concur with "Guest" and misophist's post of 06-Apr-02, with one slight dissention; I humbly recomend #4 "Goose Shot" for home-defense utility. At typicaly close ranges encountered in such affairs, #4's will scatter a pound or two of an intruder's inward parts all over your flat, which will likely put a considerable damper on his enthusiasm for rape, murder, mayhem, plunder, or whatever he might take pleasure in doing with you and/or your Family without "overpenetrating" sheet - rock walls, windows etc. and causing "collatteral damage" to kids, pets, neighbors or property which might be innocently abiding on the other side somewhere, as even a .32" caliber #00 buckshot is apt to do, and a 9MM etc. is almost sure to do if the Gremlin is missed, which is a lot easier to do than the TV shows and movies tend to suggest.

Above contributers who reccomed training and practice also advise well, I opine. In the US most places where Freedom lingers (going fast, thanks to Liberal Politicians and their collaborators in the press, Media etc.)NRA Certified Instructors are available and usually offer basic firearms safety and management courses for a nominal fee. Generally, such a course is a prerequisite to obtaining a "Carry Permit", which is quite all right by me. Contrary to popular opinion, the NRA is every much about public safety as we are the preservation of Liberty.

One facet of Self - defence which does not get nearly enough press, IMHO, is that of attitude and lifestyle.
Some things which are every bit as important as proper equipment and training include awareness and sobriety.
In the above-mentioned annecdotes, alchohol intoxication was suggested in at least two of them; One was a victim; the fellow staggering home at 0300 from the Pub, probably well-oiled. This makes a potential victim extremely vunerable, and Criminals favor victims who impose limited risk to themselves.
The other involved a drunken Perpetrator; I seem to recall some statistic that suggests that a vast majority of violent crimes are commited by perps under the influence of booze, drugs, or both - which is consistant with my observations during my brief stint as a Military Policeman and NH State Trooper about 30 years ago.

One has to make a critical choice when establishing a personal security system, particulary as to the incorporation of a weapons system into that plan, assuming that such is a legal option (where it is not in an increasing number of Socialist Utopias around the World). In some cases, weapons in the home CAN impose more of a risk liability than a security assett. Such situations include recreational alchohol or drug use by inhabitants, which significantly reduce inhibitions and judgement of potential users, as well as reflexes and coordination in the event of a real criminal threat. The danger of unitended or colatteral casualties is increased significantly. If inhabitants are in the habit of "partying" where mind - altering substances are commonly used, it may be prudent to avoid having lethal weapons within the premises.
I have a personal policy whereby before I enjoy any "adult beverages" I do so in moderation, and only after all guns are cleared (unloaded) and secured at home, and I do not imbibe if I am "packing" abroad, or will leave the "piece" home if intending to imbibe.
I can recall back when I was in Law Enforcement going to a Bar and seeing fellow Officers getting delightfully tight with the handle of their .38 protruding from their hip - it scared the Hell out of me even 30 years ago when I was young and reckless.

A home where there is ANY domestic abuse issue is NOT the place for deadly weapons. Victims of that need to get out of the environment ASAP to begin with - after that it gets complicated way beyond this issue.

I know of homes in which resides an out-of-control and essentially unmanageable adolecent - usually a male - where the Parents have removed all guns and alchohol from the premises; sadly a reasonable course of action in such lamentable cases. History indicates that if a kid goes bad, they will obtain the material for mayhem somewhere irregardless of the law (we understand that criminals in the UK, which strictly prohibits private firearms ownership, are better armed than the Constabulary in most instances), but having them at hand in the home may be tempting fate; and don't suppose that any hiding-place can't be found out or "gun-lock" broken by a determined punk. My sympathies to any Families who have to put up with one.

The Homeowner or Family Member who resorts to a weapon for security MUST have firmly resolved to commit not only to gaining familiarity / proficiency with said system, but the mental resolve to USE IT in an appropriate situation; otherwise it is worse than useless; a perp can and will take it away and turn it on innocents - and we should all have an appreciation for just what catastrophy the criminal mind is capable of inflicting.

All those "Rights" us NRA - types keep harping about, like the proverbial Second Ammendment in what's left of our Constitution, include a concurrent RESPONSIBILITY, Amigos. That includes self-discipline, education, sobriety, Citizenship, and resolve to name a few. I think that our society would to well to reexamine that "Other 'R'-Word" from time to time in regards to this as well as many other issues.