When push comes to shove, I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6.The DA will probably charge you anyway, just to satisfy the victims family, and show that they did a good job. You will still probably have to defend your actions in a court room. I know several guys that thought they were justified, but took a deal for a couple years for guilty plea to manslaughter, rather than face the chance of 15 to life for murder conviction.....that's when push comes to shove......
That said, I will only shoot when backed into a corner with no other options.
My old man taught be to treat my gun like a fire extinguisher. Take every precaution you can so that you never need it, but keep it handy just in case.
At my house they gotta get past two dogs and a steel security door before that's even a factor.
If my crop gets taken, my crop gets taken, but I'm gonna do everything I can to make sure me and the wife are still standing afterwards.
Most rippers seem to be young punks who run as soon as they're detected, it's those psychos who are willing to do a home invasion that I worry about.