While I concede that shotgun is the right tool for the job in some cases, I definitely argue it’s not the end all be all and not appropriate in others.

If you live in a rural area or otherwise have a spacious home where a loaded shotgun can safely be stored in your bedroom or otherwise accessible in a moments notice without it being a massive safety hazard, then yes shotgun might be right for you.

For basically everyone else, a simple handgun is more than sufficient for home defense needs and can be kept safely where it can be retrieved while sleeping or other event where you believe an would be home invader is trying to enter your home or already has.

The real important part here is that if you are going to get a firearm for home defense, get trained how to use it. Many shooting ranges will have classes or put you in contact with an instructor who can show you how to operate the firearm, safely load and unload it, and good technique to use while handling it. And equally important, you are going to want range time with that firearm, not just to know how to shoot it, but ensure yourself it does work, what to do if it malfunctions, and hopefully improve your skill so you can hit what you are aiming at and avoid anything you aren’t aiming at.