I would highly recommend a handgun for home defense with either red dot/tritium sights and with or without attached pistol light and NOT a shotgun. The shotgun is difficult to reload under pressure, typically has lower capacity than a pistol, more recoil, more flash, and many would argue has more penetration. The shotgun would be the last weapon i choose for any defensive scenario. Remember, the only gun that matters is the one that is either on you or within reaching distance!