If my fatherly instinct kicked in, however, and I felt the person was a threat to the wellbeing of my family I have no doubt that I would be able to take that person's life. I may have to deal with it later through trips to a shrink, but I can handle that if it means my family is safe.

I am not a "gun nut," but I sleep with an XDm 40 next to my bed (enough firepower to put down just about anybody). There are too many wackadoos, and tweakers out there to rely on police response. Nothing against the police, but you may only have seconds when it takes them minutes to get there. I do agree with you about the guys who brag about blowing a hole in a guy like it's no big deal, or something to brag about. That's bull$#!+.