Most states "allow" you to carry a handgun concealed so long as you have a carry permit. So you should look into getting one if you live in one the 40 or so states that offer it.
The next step is to decide between a revolver and pistol. Some folks say a revolver is easier to learn, but I learned on a pistol first, so I do not agree. A pistol has an advantage of allowing you to carry more ammo and reload much faster than a revolver. So I would choose a pistol.
Go with a quality manufacturer. These include: Glock, Sig, H&K, and Beretta. All of those guns will perform about the same from a reliability standpoint. Go to a gun range and shoot each, then buy the one that works best for you. As for caliber, I recommend 9mm, with the caveat that you carry hollowpoints for self-defense. Others will recommend .40 and .45, so please shoot these calibers as well. Again, pick whichever works the best for you (in other words, which one can you most quickly and accurately put multiple rounds on multiple targets).
You'll want plenty of spare mags and good holster (I recommend Milt Sparks).
Pistols are good, but their stopping power (regardless of caliber) is marginal. The purpose of a handgun is to fight your way back to your rifle which you shouldn't have left behind in the first place.
The best rifle for the situation you described (dealing with looters) is an accessorized AR-15, IMHO. I would recommend the following: collapsible stock, tactical rail, Surefire light, and Aimpoint or EOTech optic. Spend some time over at ar15.com to get a good idea of what accessories you'll want to get. You will want a lot of ammo and magazines as well.
Should disorder persist for more than a few days, you will want a .308 battle rifle so you can engage at longer distances and penetrate stuff.
Whatever you decide to buy, get lots of training.
Also, I would recommend the following books:
"Principles of Personal Defense" by Jeff Cooper
"Boston's Gun Bible" by Boston T. Party
"Patriots: Surviving the Coming Collapse" by John Rawles.
I've not read the others you mentioned but have read this. It has tons of information while written in a fictional setting.
A friend and I were talking this book just today. The veneer of decent society is just that, a veneer. When you take away food and water, things can get ugly pretty fast.
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