hearing protection

[GeeBee49]

i said that, meaning that shooting into the dark unknown is irresponsible. i don't think anyone can argue with that. but then again, you did.

but then again, say someone lived alone and no one else had keys to their house and there was never ever anyone else who would have permission to be in their house at any time, and there wasn't another neighbor within 5 miles (thus no collateral casualties from overpenetration through walls), then yes, at that point i can see shooting into the dark unknown. but how many of us live like that? not me.

First of all, I would never shoot in the dark. As I said earlier, I keep a small lamp on in the living room. An intruder must go through the living room to get to the hallway that leads to the bedrooms. Even if something happened to the lamp, the bulb burned out or a very tricky intruder turned it off, there is a street light directing in front of my house that vaguely lights up the living room even when the blinds are closed.
Again, as I've already said, my adult son lives with me and when he comes home late he does not quietly creep around. I know it's him as soon as he unlocks the front door.
I run every possible scenario through my head over and over and I have for as long as I've been keeping a gun for HD. I also have experienced real life defensive situations and those lessons I learned are still very much with me today.

[JWil]

There is enough ambient light around my house for me to identify darkly colored house cats from one another. I could grab a flashlight but I would rather have two hands on my weapon if I should ever have to use it for self defense, which I hope I don't.

[FAS1]

Options are nice, but you are talking about CA so...

Nothing wrong with having some electronic ear protection next to your bed in case you have time to put them on. What about others in the house?

In the end, you and your family's lives are the most important thing. Personally, I don't have a suppressed gun or ear protection by my bed.