It depends on which firearm I might be using and the location of the burglar.  If I shoot at a burglar with a .12 gauge shotgun in my residence, for example, "bullets" are not going to go into another room or into a neighbor's house.

Should any firearm be used, there is a concept called the OODA Loop which comes into play.  "The phrase OODA loop refers to the decision cycle of observe, orient, decide, and act,"  It is used in combat situations to analyze a threat situation and properly respond.