Put it in your "safe room" (with a door that locks) and retreat there
and lock the door when you first think you are in trouble.
That buys you the 5 seconds you need to open the safe and retrieve
your gun. It also gives you a very good legal defense if the bad guy
kicks in the door and you shoot him, even in the "obligation to
retreat" states.
A big dog will give you even more time.
None of this is necessary, of course, if you come across a kid on the
street carrying a soft drink and a bag of candy. Just shoot him. Make
sure you are in Florida, of course.