OK ... Home protection laws are somewhat different within each state, so get familiar with those laws and learn when you have the 'right' to shoot a home intruder between the eyeballs or give him a seond chance by shooting one of his knee-caps off.
It appears that your friend will be knowledgeable enough to give you some damn good advice.
Last comment ....Lock up your weapon at home so that your kids, friends, etc. don't have a snowball's chance in hell to get their hands on it!