The axe and 2.38 are otherwise known as the Bible, namely
Acts 2:38... I heard it as a joke somewhere that as someone was trying to break into a lady's house she screamed at the would-be offender
Acts 2:38 and the robber thought she was saying she had an axe and a 2.38 and took off...
On a more serious note... I pray I never have to find myself in that situation, but if it comes down to defending my home, my family, and myself, we do have the means of protection here in our home, and I do know how to use them. I prefer to keep a can of mace and bear spray handy as I'd much rather bring someone down and render them unable to move until more help arrives then take their life. I've also heard that wasp spray will work in a pinch as well.