I also agree with you David concerning leaving weapons such as a shotgun lying about the house as that sort of attitude in itself should be cause for having any sort of firearms license revoked and you're right, the reaction should be proportional to the threat but if someone comes into my place with a machette even if their only intention is burglary I wont make any excuses for shooting at them. Fair enough, if they put their hands up or put the weapon on the floor then I'd give them the chance to escape or try and hold them until the police arrived.