No you're not wrong. That's my understanding with a few caveats such as when you can shoot. They are specific.I think in NC, they have to be in your house in order for you to shoot an intruder.
I think there was a case where someone shot a dude in the back as he was leaving and they still prosecuted the homeowner because “the intruder was no longer a threat.”
But I could be wrong on the laws here.
If the person is posing a threat its OK to shoot, breaking in, self defense all is OK.
You cannot shoot someone that has left or is leaving your home, has made it to the lawn, or is leaving/escaping. You cannot shoot someone trying to steal your car.
Laws can and are different from state-to-state, county-to-county, city-to-city on-and-on. People buy guns without having a clue of the level of responsibility they've purchased. Its not just about busting a cap.