[quote=Dervish]
That's... actually a pretty reasonable point I didn't consider. It could be argued that if you took the time to put on hearing protection, you had the intention to shoot, regardless. Interesting.
[/quote]

I feel its a very slippery slope
If you weren't planning on shooting the intruder why did you load the gun?
You where very quick to grab you gun before knowing if you where being robbed. It could have just been a family member, maybe you hoped someone was robbing you?
So the man was downstairs yet you decided to walk down them, could you not have waited upstairs for the police to arrive?
All questions that make no sense but hope you slip up on....
Yeah it sucks and can really depend on how the laws in the country/state you are in.
In the UK the policy is to apply "Reasonable force" meaning you should give the same amount as they give.
The problem with this is what is deemed reasonable force? A big drugged up guy could probably kill me with his bare hands. If he attempts to attack me can I defend myself with a gun? Or is him not having a weapon meaning I act unlawfully?
Very slippy....
Luckily I live in a ok area with a bunch of grannies but it isn't a bad thing to be prepared.