But by the home owner not having a firearm, or self defense weapon, doesn’t prevent the violent encounter. A criminal who plans to intrude will still intrude.

But by the home owner not having a firearm, or self defense weapon, doesn’t prevent the violent encounter. A criminal who plans to intrude will still intrude. One case you have a chance to defend yourself or family, the other you’re left to “retreat” (which I think, perhaps controversially, if it’s your property you shouldn’t be obligated to retreat it if someone is criminally trying to enter). That also assumes you can retreat. In a vacuum sure the arms race would escalate, but this assumes infinite resources. If I get a pistol, then the lower “bar of entry” becomes a pistol for the intruder. If I get a heavier weapon, such as a shotgun, the intruder is gonna have a harder time (even if slightly) buying or finding the more costly (resource wise) weapon. what I think is more likely to happen, is unless you have an organized gang, solo criminals will just go for easier crimes. They won’t risk entering a neighborhood that is armed. Because then the cost to enter the house, and come out safe/successful, drastically increases once the home owner has capable self defenses.