Blanks probably not a good idea.

I do think that a couple of loads of buckshot in the chest and neck are probably a good deterrant.

I agree somewhat that shotguns are a little unwieldy but for some people so are long barrel pistols.

I have a short russian SXS with the barrels as short as a citizen is allowed. It also has a pretty short stock. Although it is longer than a pistol it is compact enough that clearing a room with it is acceptable(slicing the pie if you are familiar with the technique).

This only has two shots but is much shorter than I could get in anything else. I think that 00B is a much more effective round than even a .45 which I also keep in my nightstand.

I will probably not be using a flashlight if I can help it.