I'd darn sure take a single shot 12 gauge for home defense over a clenched fist, which is probably what she had before given this shotgun.
Two years ago while sitting out on my place squirrel hunting with a Stevens 94 in 16 gauge, five presented themselves at once from a big hollow tree and as fast as they scattered, I managed to kill three (never had anything like that happen before). I was unpracticed, surprised and fumbling for more shells out of a pocket. That old Topper in the hands of someone who knew what they were doing would be more than a match for the average housebreaking thug.