Another +1 for Ritcheyvs approach, and Rustythread.
I recently saw statistics indicating that if once burgled there is a much higher chance that the same or another person will try it again within one year and most likely within a short time such as 3 months. So, taking some immediate steps would be a good idea. This subject has been discussed on numerous threads here on TBN. The ideas include:
Install a game camera, the kind that has invisible (to people) infrared at night.
Good locks.
A dog.
Discuss with family how to react in various future situations, should they occur. What they do, what you do.
Get a concealed carry license and pocket carry (I do this). In Texas this is an all day training course in legalities, practicalities, shooting qualification for license. Cost about $150.
Put up no trespassing signs.
EVERYBODY carries a cell phone with camera, all the time. Call 911 immediately as long as can be done safely. Photos, video, audio can only be on your side in identifying the situation, your actions, who it was, etc...use them.
There are a number of things you can do to reduce your vulnerability and risks but it never goes to zero, just have to accept that. And, there is an aggravating cost to you in time and money and emotional energy which you wish you didn't have to deal with, but you do.
Hope your wife and family are not too traumatized by the event, have level heads on their shoulders and can participate in realistic discussions and planning. Seems this kind of thing increases around this time of year when the house is filling with high value items easily transported.
Sadly, as you have already seen, some TBN members will freely give you bravado advice: "lets you and them fight!" Several pieces of simply bad and wrong advice have been given here, and in other threads discussing security. Use common sense and learn the difference between appropriate and inappropriate actions. You must do this in advance so you have a plan of action for future situations. As you have experienced, there are only moments of decision when something is happening. BUT, after it is over, EVERYONE will second guess what you were thinking and doing and why...including law officers and your peers, including jurors (hope that never happens).
In Texas, and I expect in your state, you are legally allowed to use deadly force to defend yourself and others against the THREAT of immediate deadly force to you/others. You are NOT allowed to take deadly action against someone simply because they are on your property.
You have already proven you are willing to take action to protect your self, family and property, that's not the issue. How to do it realistically, effectively, as safely as possible for all concerned and legally in your state IS THE ISSUE.
And, importantly, remember that
TBN is a PUBLIC FORUM. Anything you say here can and will live forever and be available, for good or ill, to anyone in the future...what you say here is PUBLIC, never just between "friends."
Best wishes on how you recover from this unwanted and unnerving event and address the future.
+1 on what Ritcheyvs says. It doesn't take much law enforcement experience to tell when a body was shot outside and dragged inside--advocating that is at best ..er...not good advice.
If you are going to contemplate pointing guns at anyone outside your dwelling--or carrying a sidearm at all outside your dwelling, get training. There is a lot of pretty good training available. From a dollars-and-sense perspective, a two-week intensive practical course will cost you about the same as a two-hour meeting with your lawyer after you've screwed up and been arrested. More importantly, training on what you can legally do and how to do it without shooting yourself in the @$$ is crucial, especially the repetitive, muscle-memory parts--with a certified instructor making sure that you don't engrave your brain with bad moves and dangerous habits.
