Biden says a shotgun will scare off intruders Associated Press Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 2:15 pm, Tuesday, February 19, 2013 WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden said Tuesday that Americans don't need semi-automatic weapons to protect their homes because a couple of blasts from a shotgun will scare off intruders. Biden said he keeps two shotguns and shells locked up at home and he's told his wife, Jill, to use them if she needs protection. Biden's answer came in response to a question posted by a Facebook user about whether the administration's proposal to ban military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines would make law-abiding citizens more of a target of criminals since they wouldn't have a sufficient way of protecting themselves.