I'm of the opinion that if this individual is gonna stash it in the attic till he needs it he don't need one.....
The use of a firearm is a martial art and martial arts require practice to master or even become proficent at the very basic level.
To purchase and discover, when ya "need" it, when you first try and fire it ya have ....a warranty problem, bad ammo, wrong ammo , grease or a cardboard anti rust widget etc etc is just plain wrong.
The guy needs to heed the evacuation warnings when such threatens his door step if such is his plan.
That said if such is still on their agenda give em a ruger 10-22 with 25 round magazines from butler creek and a brick of stingers. Better to hit a lot than miss the few.....
Besides I really like the way the IDF applies their kneecapping theory to the PLO rockchuckers ! A little 6-24X Tasco Scope on the little ruger is fine medicine for the novice to start with......only hits count concept at work.
I knew we could count on you.
This stuff is why I promote the purchase of double barreled, even single barreled shotguns. Less to do, know, mess up. Revolvers the same. You can SEE the ammunition, and if it has bullets in it.
As Squeaky Frome found out when she tried to 1911 Pres. Reagan, rounds do not jump out of the magazine and into the chamber by themselves. There is no fuel pump. Your gas tank is only a holding area.
Stingers great, if they cycle. Fast and heavy. Cute, too.