Sound totally justified.
I’m sure he’s telling the truth, but in the event of a necessary use of lethal force I am thinking it would be wise to claim to have seen a gun if one or more of the thugs gets away.
It’s also smart to keep a throwaway piece at home, in case that armed intruder doesn’t happen to be armed. If a mistake is made there was an invader in your home; drop the piece and shut up. Make no statement and answer no questions without a lawyer’s ok.