There is a lot of false bravado on the internet, and most gun owners have more of a,"Better to have, but not need this then need and not have it" attitude about self-defense than the stereotypical gung-ho blood lust.

Gin grabbers ask, "why do you value your stuff more than you value someone's life?" They never ask why people breaking and entering values someone else's stuff so much they'll risk their own lives to take it.

Your story has unarmed burglars. How were your roommates to know that, though? These thugs already broke into an occupied home. They obviously had either brute strength or tools like crowbars which can absolutely be lethal, and they obviously intended to deal with at least one occupant.