There is a lot of misunderstanding out there for sure. I have a neurosurgeon friend who has a .357 for home protection (first mistake...probably too much penetration). He and his wife heard a strange noise one night and he armed himself and searched the house...false alarm but he asked me how to "clear his house" in that circumstance. The answer, of course, is not to go looking for a man with a gun. Retreat to a secure room, lock the door, call the police and wait it out. If someone breaks the door down, he is fair game. Had a patient one time, a middle aged woman who went to the kitchen about 3 a.m. Her half-asleep husband, not realizing she wasn't in the bed, armed himself with his .357 and went out to check...shot her in the chest. We saved her, but it was close and I don't think the relationship lasted!
John