Especially living in an apartment, if there was a need for home defense, you may find yourself in closer proximity to a bad guy, then you would a house. With shotgun loads, you have multiple pellets to worry about, as in not missing their intended target, and doing some major damage to something else, or someone else. I would rather have a laser sighted pistol then a scattergun, and Im not a strong proponent of laser sights. Even with castle doctrine laws, you are accountable for where the bullets or BBs fly. If a neighbor gets hit, its on you. If you nail a wall, even if it doesnt pass thru, your'e paying the tab. The drywall damage is a backseat to protection, but hitting innocent people doesnt. A person who has taken the time to get aquainted with a pistol, has a far more versatile weapon in home defense then they will with a shotgun. I would bet the farm you will not find any professional who will say otherwise. It sounds cool and flashy to come charging thru, racking the slide of a pump shotgun, and the zombie, terrorist, burglar, etc, instantly relieves their bladder in front of you, but lets be real, this isnt a movie. A good pistol, in a good caliber, is your safest bet in home protection.