Pepto...
I see in the most recent post you're sixteen and living at home. Nothing wrong with that, but it also helps those of us who are older understand your thinking and opinions.
Your bedroom door isn't secure and, as you say, it's very close to the front door. To me, that would justify maintaining the shotgun loaded with an empty chamber for preparedness.
You reference an eye condition that means you can't see (or have trouble seeing) for several minutes after waking up. I'm not sure if this is simply goopy "sleep" in your eyes or some other, more serious condition. However, in either case, you need to be aware that it is your responsibility to identify your target before engaging with a firearm. That means, legally, you have to be able to determine the person was a serious threat to you -- as opposed to being, say, a firefighter or a guest in the house.
Given the combination of eye problems and physical security, your best bet would be to hold up in your bedroom until you can see well enough to comprehend what's going on.
In the relevant situation you outlined, ask yourself what would have happened if there had been one or two people coming through the door? And you with an unloaded shotgun (or an "unready" shotgun).
Even if your eyes are clear, with your bedroom door so close to the point of entry, exiting the room is not tactically sound. It puts you into immediate "lunge & grab" range of potential intruders before you can assess the situation.
Somewhat more prudent might have been to move to the bedroom door and carefully look over the area before leaving the room. This way, if you see a person you might identify them (friend/foe/known/unknown) first. That moment, seeing nothing, might give you pause and when you heard "Kitty Kitty!" you'd know your mom was the source of the noise.
The good is that you are willing to protect yourself and family and you have the tool(s) to do so. The bad is you are rushing to engage without thinking of tactics and your own safety. Don't be in a hurry to engage as you may not be able to disengage if things turn sour on you.
From your mother's perspective, she probably thinks you were over-reacting to the noise. After all, from her viewpoint, all she did was get up, walk to the door, and step outside to call the cat. Then there you are with your shotgun.
If her opinion is that it might be "merely" someone asking to use the phone, someone looking for directions or some other "plausible" reason for being there then she needs to be educated on how criminals gain access to homes of trusting souls like her.
If she puts forth the "circumstances" argument, ask her what circumstances would justify someone entering the home and, say, shooting you in each knee to get money or valuables. Remind her there is no point on relying on a criminal's mercy - for he may not have any mercy on his victims.
You need to discuss with your mother what she expects to do or happen if an unsavory intruder does enter the house. She may be of the belief that an angry woman telling him to get out whilst waving an 8-inch cast iron skillet is sufficient (it is, if it works!). If she doesn't believe in taking another person's life, that's fine. However, if that intruder comes after you, you still retain the right to defend yourself as necessary.
I see in the most recent post you're sixteen and living at home. Nothing wrong with that, but it also helps those of us who are older understand your thinking and opinions.
Your bedroom door isn't secure and, as you say, it's very close to the front door. To me, that would justify maintaining the shotgun loaded with an empty chamber for preparedness.
You reference an eye condition that means you can't see (or have trouble seeing) for several minutes after waking up. I'm not sure if this is simply goopy "sleep" in your eyes or some other, more serious condition. However, in either case, you need to be aware that it is your responsibility to identify your target before engaging with a firearm. That means, legally, you have to be able to determine the person was a serious threat to you -- as opposed to being, say, a firefighter or a guest in the house.
Given the combination of eye problems and physical security, your best bet would be to hold up in your bedroom until you can see well enough to comprehend what's going on.
In the relevant situation you outlined, ask yourself what would have happened if there had been one or two people coming through the door? And you with an unloaded shotgun (or an "unready" shotgun).
Even if your eyes are clear, with your bedroom door so close to the point of entry, exiting the room is not tactically sound. It puts you into immediate "lunge & grab" range of potential intruders before you can assess the situation.
Somewhat more prudent might have been to move to the bedroom door and carefully look over the area before leaving the room. This way, if you see a person you might identify them (friend/foe/known/unknown) first. That moment, seeing nothing, might give you pause and when you heard "Kitty Kitty!" you'd know your mom was the source of the noise.
The good is that you are willing to protect yourself and family and you have the tool(s) to do so. The bad is you are rushing to engage without thinking of tactics and your own safety. Don't be in a hurry to engage as you may not be able to disengage if things turn sour on you.
From your mother's perspective, she probably thinks you were over-reacting to the noise. After all, from her viewpoint, all she did was get up, walk to the door, and step outside to call the cat. Then there you are with your shotgun.
If her opinion is that it might be "merely" someone asking to use the phone, someone looking for directions or some other "plausible" reason for being there then she needs to be educated on how criminals gain access to homes of trusting souls like her.
If she puts forth the "circumstances" argument, ask her what circumstances would justify someone entering the home and, say, shooting you in each knee to get money or valuables. Remind her there is no point on relying on a criminal's mercy - for he may not have any mercy on his victims.
You need to discuss with your mother what she expects to do or happen if an unsavory intruder does enter the house. She may be of the belief that an angry woman telling him to get out whilst waving an 8-inch cast iron skillet is sufficient (it is, if it works!). If she doesn't believe in taking another person's life, that's fine. However, if that intruder comes after you, you still retain the right to defend yourself as necessary.