Off topic-gun ownership

[flouese]

If you are not familiar or comfortable with firearms, take a class. In Florida, unless you are active duty or retired military and you desire to carry concealed, you must take a class. The class teaches the four firearm safety rules and you spend time on the range where you can handle a variety of weapons from revolvers to semi-automatics.

Revolvers are bulky (IMO) for concealed carry, but they are point and shoot, no need to chamber a round. Semi-automatic have a smaller profile and are easy to conceal. A .22 if put in the right location will stop a bad guy just as a 9mm or .357. If you miss w/a .22, you better be able to out run them.

Most semi-automatics have a 10 round magazine (not a clip). If you can't get the job done in 10 rounds, again, you better be a fast runner.

Unfortunately, the only place I don't carry is at work. For some silly reason, you're prohibited from carrying on a military base. Hopefully a change will come around, especially after the results of Ft. Hood.

My preference is a compact Kel-Tec 9mm; light, no safety, but a long trigger pull which acts as the safety and ammo is readily available. If I'm going to a movie, I carry a Walther .22. Fits comfortably in my pocket where I can draw it from a seated position if necessary.

Lastly, best advise, train, train, train. If you can't shoot, have a good throwing arm. You might get lucky and hit them between the eyes when you chuck the empthy weapon at them.

[Luv2Box]

Like you I live in California and in a small town where it is unlikely I would ever have use for a weapon. Years ago, as a youth, I owned a 22 semi automatic rifle and took a course on handling, firing and care of a weapon. I don't remember who it was through but I also recommend you do the same if considering owning a firearm. I had not owned a firearm until I saw what the youth gangs did to the elderly after the earthquake in Haiti and decided that it was time to own one again. I decided on a Chinese made assault shotgun with an 18" barrel. Just to look at it makes me want to run and I'm hoping it would do the same to an intruder, or group of intruders. If not I have 00 buck and one ounce slugs to convince them to run...or die.

[Jamesp]

Safety is the first thing you'll need to learn, and be able to teach to anyone you handle guns with. That really is the most important thing. Then you need to learn to operate your guns which requires practice at the range. Having a gun is less than useless if you are not proficient with it. Hoping to scare a threat off with a gun is wishful, and dangerous thinking. If you pull a gun, kill a man, that way there's only one story to tell - G Gordon Liddy. Seriously, you'll need a course in gun law right out of the box, and then take it from there. The last thing to come to grips with is if you really want to shoot someone if that is what it takes to stop a threat. You'll live with that the rest of your life. Hiding / running away is a viable, and maybe less dangerous alternative. Doing so with a gun in your hand affords extra insurance.

[10/10ths]

...learn how to safely operate the weapon.

Never point the barrel at anything you are not willing to destroy.

Never put your finger on the trigger until your sights are on your target.

If you can't see it, don't shoot it.

For home defense, get a Remington 870 pump shotgun and load it with #4 bird shot.

The sound of you "pumping" the shotgun is the universal signal to get out of the house because you know what comes next.

#4 bird shot is lethal at bed to door distance, but won't punch through the walls of your apartment and hurt the baby in the next room.

For personal carry or glove box, get a Smith & Wesson "Air Weight" .38 revolver. It's small, light, and will not jam. You pull the trigger, and it fires. Every time. Five shots is enough for most situations.

If you decide you want a semi-auto with a high capacity magazine, it's hard to beat a Glock or a Springfield Armory XD series gun. Both offer 9mm with 19 round magazines.

I would stick with a revolver, however, because they have no safety to fool with, have less chance for accidental discharge, are simple, won't jam, and you can hand it to a spouse or child or co-worker if everything is going to crap and THEY can shoot it without thinking or training.

Load a pistol with Hornady "Personal Defense" ammo or Speer "Gold Dot" ammo and you have a very effective load.

Finally....Practice, Practice, Practice.

Shooting a weapon in anger at someone who is trying to kill you is NOT easy.

Good luck.

Be safe.