First, let's be careful in the use of adjectives. "Wildly" popular and "devastating" aren't objective assessments of what's really going on.
Handguns are preferred by more shooters, and many more who are considered competent in Home Defense. First, consider the term "Home Defense," which is to protect the homeowner, family, and property against intruders who would steal or commit assault against the residents.
Does this even happen that much? No. And when it is reported, the background story is the homeowner often had social ties to the intruders - they were fellow gang members, or had interest in a female who was not monogamous in sexual relations. Take the stupid stuff out, what's left is a white suburban fantasy.
It ignores why the homeowner still resides in a gang infested neighborhood, is picking up women with questionable tactics, or is flaunting a display of wealth for all to see and envy. On top of that, NO physical security of the property or residents seems to be proactively sought.
Basically, some dummy completely clueless about where they live and who they hang with? Really?
The first line of defense is what you have ON YOU in that kind of situation gone bad, handguns are #1 because they can be carried concealed - legal or otherwise. That same gun within the home is much more ready to hand during the evenings activities, or at night on the bedstand.
The average Home Defense speculation is to be suddenly awakened by an intruder with a knife at your throat, when in reality - it being considered a less than safe neighborhood, with locks on the door, an alarm system, dog, etc, the residents would have been awakened with the first thump on the exterior. It's human behavior to awaken when unusual noises are heard in the wrong time and place. A raccoon will awaken me everytime it rolls the 5 gallon galvanized pail of sunflower seed on the back deck. An older teen coming home at 11pm from closing shift at Chik fil A, no.
Leaping to your feet with a loaded firearm in desperate panic you are about to have your throat slashed and family abused, give me a friggin break. Add a fully tricked out light and redi-mag equipped M4 to face the deadly intruders?
Most real home invasions are right their in police statistics - factor out their mistaken break-ins, and you get about three shots fired and the perps wounded, on the run. Running gun battles down bedroom hallways or low crawling the living room in a tactical flank, not so very much. You hear someone beating in a side entrance, attempt to ID the intruders, CALL 911, and then promise to use deadly force. After all, it could be just a drunk lost in the apartment complex at the wrong building. What the heck is that guy doing in my house yelling at ME, Elaine??!?
The use of long arms to defend life and property has it's place, many rural residents keep long arms available in the house, and will use them on the skulkers and padfoots attempting to steal poultry alive to carry it away in their jaws. Humans tend to break into outbuildings to steal expensive tools for resale financing their poorly chosen habits. That's sometimes across a backyard more than a few yards away, the increased accuracy and reach of a long arm is an advantage. If the perp has done any homework at all, you never see them.
That's why Home Defense is really a study of Physical Securiity, and learning that shoving luxury purchases of disposable income in the face of those who can't may be less than the best choice. Honestly, most of that stuff is socio-economic ego bling - you got along just fine without it for all those years, you really need to impress someone that much?
Frankly, if you actually have the income, sitting around in a poorly chosen neighborhood with no security isn't likely to happen. Neither is worrying about what gun to use on the doorbangers busting in to get your stash.
If anyone doesn't want intruders in their home, don't invite them.
