Tasers are indeed pretty decent options for folks who can't get concealed carry permits.    As for the old guy going to jail... use of force is interesting here in CA. You can't ever assault someone in order to protect property, only life. You pretty much have to let people steal your car while you sit there on the phone with the police, because if you go out threatening the thief, you're the first one escalating the situation to violence. You COULD go out and order him to leave, or you could pop out and take a flash photo of them. Provides the police with some evidence to come after the guys, and the criminal's likely to run OR come after you; make sure you close and lock the door.    Now, if he comes in... you CAN shoot someone who's broken into your HOUSE in CA all you want. You don't enjoy immunity from civil suits, but you are in the clear from CRIMINAL suits in your home as long as there was a threat to your life. So, if the guy has both hands full with your TV, you're going in for murder, and chances are that if you shot him in the back on the way out your door, it's the same. However, if the guy kicks in your front door, you have no obligation to assume it's in order to share a candy bar with you.