In article 
<5c0aaf57-2190-4762-8165-a7993877c192@w34g2000yqm.googlegroups.com>,
 Harald Gentexeater <pipe_nurses@yahoo.com> wrote:

> There have been a couple of burglars here lately
> who broke into houses and they stole a lot of
> valuable stuff.
> 
> I don't want a burglar in my house, so which is the
> best gun to defend my house against criminals???

I have ALWAYS held the opinion that the BEST Protection Weapon,
for use against ANY Mammal in North America, is the 12 Ga., Pump 
Action, Short Barreled, Extended Magazine, Shotgun. Loaded with
00 Buck, and Slugs, alternating, except for a single round of #9
BirdShot in the chamber. This gives enough firepower, to STOP DEAD,
ANY MAMMAL, that lives in North America, whether it walks on two or four 
legs, inside a 35 Yard Range, while giving the bearer, the option
of a Warning Shot, or a Butt Dusting Shot, as a Specific Deterrent at
the beginning of any actual use. Once the Chambered Round has been 
expended, then there is no more reason to  mess around with deterrence,
but it is time to PUT DOWN, the Threat as quickly and as efficiently as 
possible. At that Point, you want DEAD, and that ends the confrontation,
Period. Better to be Judged by Twelve, than carried by Six.......

A couple of days at the local Gun Range, and or a refresher out in
the woods, once every year, is all that is required to keep a minimal
proficiency with the above weapon.