My ex had a shotgun I could handle just fine, but I don't remember what it was and only took one shell at a time. He also had a .22 cal pistol (I think). Nobody taught me how to use either, and I figured it out myself. The pistol held six rounds.
My biggest, biggest concern if I can get a permit, is how to have it handy and very safe from the one small child who comes regularly to my home. That is a huge issue. What's the sense of having a gun if you have to keep it locked away unloaded, ammo stored separately? A safety lock I was told comes with a .45 cal which would be a plus but not enough, also told little recoil.
Now all this in the hopes I never have to actually USE it.
I was wondering about possible defense devices that aren't guns. Knives you have to get too close. Mace is more or less useless. Those dart guns, can't remember what they're called. Some kind of chemical? Stun gun? It's awful to have to think about this. My life was threatened several years ago, and I spent a week either in my car or in a different motel every night. But that was a little different; I'm thinking of being prepared for the totally unexpected that can happen very quickly.
“...how to have it handy and very safe from the one small child who comes regularly to my home.”
I mentioned getting a pistol of some type to my wife - who for the longest time said NO WAY to having a pistol in the house.
This time she said “As long as it is kept safe, like in a safe, no ammo, etc.”. I mentioned to her “Or, it is always on my person - even in the house”. She said “Oh - that would work.” (Now - what to get, what to get. Probably a .357 revolver. Perhaps a .40 auto. My next step is to go to the local gun range where you can shoot various types, take lessons, etc.)
Even still - the shotgun will remain a standard, easy to use and effective means of home defense.
Pepper Spray. It even comes in a pink canister if you want. :)