In the early 70's I had a job that kept me away from home a lot, and since I lived alone the house was often empty. One afternoon, I was working on my car in the attached garage, and I guess the house looked unoccupied. I heard the sound of someone in the house, so I took my licensed .38 from my car and went into the house. I found a stranger on the open stairway headed upstairs. I pointed the gun at him and said "don't move", and at the same time cocked the hammer. I guess the sight of the turnimg cylinder and the cocked hammer unnerved him and he bolted down the stairs and out the open door. Afterwards, I wondered if I would have shot him had I felt threatened. My conclusion: IN A HEARTBEAT.
I gave the description of his vehicle to the police, and they picked him up. But since there was no evidence of his having been in my house, they let him go. I think they spent more time checking my ID and carry permit than they did talking to him.