there ya’ go- probably I would get knocked on my a$$ with a 12ga & if a 20ga would do the same job I could probably handle it. I know you have to be steady on your feet and good shoulder control, kinda’ like playing a men’s 1 iron and getting shanked in comparison i see your point - we never kept guns at home and truthfully i’ve never handled one and if things go any further with this regime i’ll be getting “handy” as they say, gotta’ learn some day, don’t you?
A 12 gauge won’t knock you off your feet, but their recoil *will* get your attention. Some 12 gauge shotguns have less recoil than others. A lot of factors affect recoil, such as weight, barrel length, stock design, internal shock absorbers, type of ammo. Benelli advertises theirs have internal shock absorbers that reduce recoil. Thick rubber buttpads help a great deal too. A 20 gauge would likely be as effective against 2-legged predators.
I’m sure there’s a fellow freeper in your hhome state who would find you a place to shoot.