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I want to thank each of you for your thoughtful responses. I think that I will definitely take the lessons first to try out different guns before buying. Also sounds like it's best to keep it loaded at all times (probably a liberal myth I picked up).

The reason why I haven't spoken with my local law enforcement officers is that as the proseuctor in my area, I don't want to make it seem like I am overreacting/acting rashly. This guyI'm a little concerned about really went wacko after his conviction, and one of the cops said that it was the only time as a police officer that he's been afraid. His probation officer, after getting yelled at by him said the same thing. So, while this guy was blathering on about his friends in Hell's Angels, Crips, Bloods, Vice Lords, etc., which says "all talk no action", the fact that he scared them and asked the cops if I wore a bulletproof vest (like he has) makes me think that it's no time to be a macho s---head about things.

This guy is ticked off because he doesn't want to do any jail time, and has always gotten out of jail time previously by doing undercover drug buys. This time (his 6th Driving After Revocation - he hasn't had a driver's license since 1994), we said no deals, and the judge said he's doing 90 days, period. I'm also going to prosecute him for doing contract work without a license, and disorderly conduct for his behavior. Hopefully convictions on all of these will be enough to trigger a parole violation. It may be jumping on him with both feet, but he's making it very easy to do.

Thanks again for your help.

This guyI'm a little concerned about really went wacko after his conviction, and one of the cops said that it was the only time as a police officer that he's been afraid

In your line of work, not only do you have to worry about the cons you put away and eventually get out, but their friends, family members, and gang associates.

It's likely that eventually you'll run into one of them while you are out in public minding your own business.

That's just one more reason to carry 100% of the time.

make it seem like I am overreacting/acting rashly. This guyI'm a little concerned about really went wacko after his conviction

Getting a gun because of one threat and imagining only in that situation does make it sound like rash, or at least, reactive without seeing the big picture. I wouldn't describe it to them that way.

Becoming armed is a lifestyle choice. You will realize that the first time you dress with it on and think through new perspective. It changes you, but not in the way you might expect. Shoot at lots of targets until you are skilled with the tool, but most important, think through LOTS of situations and scenarios until you have developed a philosophy and a strategy for its use that is ~reasoned~.

My .02 cents. :~D

Now that I understand the situation a little more I think I can give a little more advice. You don't have to explain everything to the officers. If you know of one who is a very good shot, you could ask him for advice. In fact, make it known that you want to learn to shoot. You don't have to explain why. Let them guess as to the reason. If you do have to kill the bad guy, it may help.

When you get the gun, do get some concealed carry training. Gunsite, Thunder Ranch and Massod Ayoob's training courses are excellent. You're looking for combat pistol training. You aren't looking to shoot bambi or bunnies.

Jeff Cooper is the head of Gunsite. He taught me. I wish he had taught me when I first picked up a pistol. Luckily, I learned to keep my mouth shut in the class and I learned a lot. After taking his class, you should be able to draw, fire and hit the vitals on a person across a room from a concealed position in less than two seconds. That's not very fast. It is fast when you break that down to a eight inch target from concealed.

If you choose to teach yourself once you buy the gun, figure on shooting as much as some people watch tv for the first couple of months. That means a lot of ammo and you will raise blisters. I have had a lump on the web of my hand for as long as I remember.

IF you need added help, let us know what state you're in and we can help. I've taken one freeper to my lease and we had a good time.

I want to add a little bit more of a plug for revolvers as your initial choice. Revolvers are "intuitive." You see where the bullets go in the cylinder, you pull the trigger and it works. This is very important for a novice shooter! You will be ready to defend yourself the first day.

With autos, there is a serious "screwup factor" to contend with as a novice which can prove fatal. When someone is breaking into your house and your adreneline pumps from a deep sleep, is NOT the time to wonder, "Did I chamber a round last month? Should I rack the slide to make sure? Do I have to put the safety up or down for shooting?" And so on. These mental doubts cause hesitation and can cause mistakes, leading you to jam your own gun half-racking your slide (checking your chamber) etc.

This will NOT happen with a revolver, every. You see the 5 or 6 loaded bullets peaking out of the cylinder. You pull the trigger, it goes BANG! Period. No mental screwup factor.

Autos are better for pros or serious shooters who go to the range a lot. Revolvers are better for novices, and those who just want protection, not a new hobby.

Another factor: you can hand your revolver to a complete novice (a wife or friend who's being stalked for example) and he/she will have protection right away. A five minute safety lesson, dry fire it a few times, and they will be able to effectively use the gun for self defense at inside the room ranges. You cannot do this with an autopistol: there are to many permutations to absorb in a quick verbal lesson.

Good luck!

Since so many excellent suggestions have already been made about arms choices I'll give advice in another direction. You need to avail yourself of Jeff Cooper (retired Marine Arms Instructor) and Massad Ayoob's (Police Weapons Instructor, and frequent expert witness/consultant for firearms and shooting trials)knowledge. Cooper's excellent writing, much of which is compiled in To Ride, To Shoot Straight, and Speak the Truth, will do a great deal to sharpen your mindset and awareness for self defense situations--as much as can be gotten from a book. In The Gravest Extreme, Massad Ayoob details in legal terms what it really means own and use a firearm and what you will face in the aftermath. He also addresses your question about what type of arm(s) to choose.

Prayers for you and your family. Thank you for what you are doing to make others in your community safe.

"His probation officer, after getting yelled at by him said the same thing. So, while this guy was blathering on about his friends in Hell's Angels, Crips, Bloods, Vice Lords, etc., which says "all talk no action", the fact that he scared them and asked the cops if I wore a bulletproof vest (like he has) makes me think that it's no time to be a macho s---head about things. ..."

Sorry, but your story does not ring true.

Probation officers can, and would, put him back behind bars based on your statement alone.

Hell's angels do not talk about Crips. Crips do not talk about Bloods. Bloods do not talk about Crips. Neither talks about Hell's Angels.

Gang members only talk about themselves, as in, "I am a Crip, and will f-you up." Any dufus speaking more than one gang would not scare a cop at all.

The cop would laugh at anyone who mentioned those words, as I am now.

And you say the cop was scared, and recommended a bullet proof vest? He would laugh.

Nice try, but your cover is blown. Go back to grad school.