In most places in the U.S. if an intruder enters your home and you have reasonable belief that they intend to harm you, or any of your fellow residents you have every right to shoot them. In my opinion there are a lot of thieves out there that would be willing to hurt someone in their way if it meant getting valuable merchandise.
The only issue you would run into is if you shot them in the back while fleeing your premisis. Then you would be in trouble. But as a husband and father I'm glad I have every right to use the power necessary to bring down anyone who intrudes into my home. Having a gun gives much security. However, I do believe that if you have young children you should always have it where they cannot get to it, but that is up to the owner and should not be enforced by the state or else you get into too much regulating.
