Nita, you've given me a great opening...
At the reception was a woman who happened to be a former asst. prosecutor in w. Minnesota...
At that job some years ago, she realized the need to learn how to protect herself, and indeed, the police urged her to take this step as she had received death threats, AND THE POLICE TOLD HER THEY COULDN'T PROTECT HER.
So she did, and she's become a big 2nd amendment & CCW supporterlearning how to use a number of different guns and rifles.
So we talked about that, and I told her about Second Amendment Sisters which she'd never heard of...We agreed it'd be nice if there were more women firearms instructors...
This route has several advantages....You will get skilled instruction on safety, and the use of various guns.
You will get to try various firearms, and most probably with people with about the same level of skill as yourself.
And if you've found the right place, you can go back there again and again to rent various pieces to try on on the range til you make a decision as to which to purchase.
The gun stores have used guns which they rent out for such use...half an hour at a time, or so.
They also have pieces on consignment, but these are not usually rented out.
The time you put into this will be well worth it!!
Dog, I know you don't have a lot of free time, these days, but if you can work this into your schedule, do try. The NRA certification class is 3-4 hours.
There were 4 in my class,2 ladies, and 2 men.
My son John and I took it together a few years ago, after he had gone hunting several times. So he was more experienced than I, but when I suggested the class, he jumped at the opportunity.