Rifles to reach out and touch someone or hold them at bay... (far away),
Shotguns for medium-to-close range work...
Handguns for close-quarters...
Edged weapons (knife, hawk) for up-close-and-personal...
For home defense, a shotgun with #8's or #9's work well. Might want to keep a 00-buck at the end of the tube, just in case....