Over here if you hurt someone whilst defending yourself during a break in it can be seen as more than "reasonable force" and therefore a criminal offence. You could end up being the one with a record and behind bars. If you were to use a gun you would almost certainy end up serving some time.

I think you are doing the right thing getting rid of your weapons. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I killed someone with my car by accident, let alone pulling a trigger on them.