Pistol Crossbow

[Timelord]

All weapons have range, some are just less ranged than others. lol. The point of the tea cup thing was that they would be a pretty rubbish weapon choice and therefore it would be folly to select them and even more ridiculous that a person would think I would consider it. It was a skewed simile with a pistol crossbow, which on the surface appears an easy to aquire and use deadly weapon. In reality it is somewhat chancy and alternative choices would be a safer bet.
Flammables in ones own smallish building is a no no. A brick is more reliable than a weedy aluminium target crossbow bolt fired from a flimsily constructed essentially one shot weapon.
Don't forget the tactical use of bright lights in low light conditions and a dwelling interior that has been darkened even during the day by using items like blackout sheets or similar - can give an advantage to an acclimatised defender. Stairways with the treads removed are an awkward obstacle or with items of furniture thrown down will impede easy progress. Strive to engage the intruders on unfavourable ground of your choosing! Do not get flanked and beware of windows and modern flimsy wall construction in this respect.
While it is better to prevent any intruders gaining access to your house, the layout may dictate you can not easily hold the fort with limited manpower. The fact that intruders may have gained access to your house does not mean it is game over at all. Urban fighting is the most costly type of warfare to attacking forces. Well prepared defensive positions can repell attackers of far greater numbers. (without any further complications like luck, big firepower, etc, etc, etc)
I recommend a hammer and plenty of 4 inch nails for creating a whole host of passive nastiness. Regards. TL

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Also plenty of robust wire for creating your own shin snagging matrix of intruder realignment. Call it the dispatch office :-)