Posts like this usually bring many different responses because not everyones living arrangements are the same. Some have children in the house, some don't. Some have neighbors nearby, some don't.
One person said that they don't buy the " barricade yourself in the bedroom and wait for the cops" idea. That was because he had kids in the house. I have no children in the house. I also do not have anything in my house outside my bedroom that is worth killing someone over, or possibly getting killed over.
My plan is very simple. I believe that everyone should have 3 things within reach at their bedside.
1- A cell phone. BGs can and will cut your phone lines if they know someone is in the house. A person who is willing to break into a home when it is known that the occupants are home is a very dangerous individual. Call 911 immediately, and leave the line open. Everything is recorded.
2. A good flashlight. I have two. A surefire, and a "bash-light" (long hard heavy tube type).
3. A firearm. XD-45 with Fed. Hydra-shoks very close, and 12ga. (first 2 in the tube are #4s, and next two are 000 buckshot, accessable if time permits.
At first sign of a break-in, I would grab XD , and call 911 with home phone on nightstand ,if dial tone is present (911 will have your address automatically). Put receiver down and say "Home invasion". If no dial tone, use cell phone, but add address to "home invasion". Mind you, this is if you have time.
I would then announce loudly that the police are on the way, and that if they (the home invader) come into view that I will be forced to defend myself. (this will also be recorded by 911, and would be very helpful to you in court should you have to defend yourself).
With light and XD in hand, and pointed in direction of where assailant would have to appear, I would wait it out. If said home invader was stupid enough to come my way, the next thing recorded on the 911 tape would be a few very loud noises. Also, I don't beleive that said perp would wait around for the cops to show up.
I was taught a long time ago to leave house clearing drills to the experts. I am not a LEO, and do not care to get myself shot trying to act like one. I have performed armed investigations of things that have gone bump in the night, but in these cases I really had no real reason to believe that a break-in was in progress.
If you have family in the house, you should have a plan, and all should know it and practice it occassionally. If you live alone, you still need to have a plan. I think that having a plan is more important than what type of weapon you keep readily available, as long as you are competant with that weapon.
Just my thoughts on the matter.
DS