Well, I've used a gun before (target shooting. I liked the rifles much more than the pistol). And like I said I'm probably going to get one. I'll just look into the local organizations and stuff. There must be some basic course I could take one Saturday...
And yes, I completely respect my mother's position, because kids and guns are a bad idea. At this point, six of the seven of us could be taught not to play with guns; but the little guy just doesn't have the same action-consequence sequencing yet. He'll do things that he knows will get him in trouble, and he can't keep his hands off things.
However, when we girls eventually start dating, I bet Dad gets a rifle.
When we were in DC a couple in our church small group was help up at gunpoint. Their response was to get involved with the Sarah Brady types. Wanted us to sign along. Of course I wouldn't.
Couldn't get them to see that DC has some of the strictest handgun laws in the country and probably more hand gun crimes per capita than just about any other city.
Shotgun would be better than a rifle for home defense... especially in an apartment. You need the opposite of long range ;~D