Bingowings said:

But if there is no obvious physical peril in the situation why risk creating some for yourself over something that can eventually be replaced or the loss of it rationalised? I can't think of any inanimate object I own worth using violence to protect.

If you can prevent the situation by any non-violent means it makes sense to try but if the theft is going to happen and only an act of violence can prevent it why bother?

The criminal may get caught, or may not, notch it down to experience (sometimes unpleasant things happen).

All I can say is that if some a**hole breaks into my house, or tries to make off with some of my property, there will be hot lead flying close behind him. Fortunately, shooting at thieves is pretty much encouraged in my great state of Texas.