>> have the presence of mind to remember what is BEHIND your target<<<br><br>When I lived in more exciting places than now, this is why the only piece I kept loaded was a shotgun- short-barreled Remington 870 pump with rifle sights.<br><br>The first three rounds were #6 birdshot. Number 6 won't penetrate drywall at distances of more than a few feet, but is purported to still be a pretty reliable stopper across a typical room. There's little concern about patterning at 8 feet.