Thanks, I’ll write that one down too!
I think just getting comfortable with a weapon will be a big first step but also beefing up security for our home as well.
I’d recommend you get in touch with your local gun range. They should have an intro course on handguns - pretty good intro. Your local ranges often have rental guns that you can shoot and see how you like and feel before you go out and buy.
Home security is one component of my prepping scheme. Good stuff. Google it to find other good resources on improving home security.
Make sure you have two or three fire extinguishers handy in your home. I have five, but I have two levels and two laundries in this house.
Buy door jam rods to put under the door nobs and down to the floor when you close up to go to bed. And pick a room like a bathroom which has only one door in and put one of the door jams in there for blocking entry as a last retreat room, and if you can, keep a loaded shotgun in that room for the last resort.
A set of door and window sensors is no longer expensive and can give you warning if someone breaks through a window or door. They have them now that have peel and stick backing on them, so they are easy to apply to window and door jams. If you can select a safe room in your house to retreat to, one camera placed near the ceiling which sends an image to the safe room and informs what's going on outside the safe area. Those are now available over the INternet for less than fifty bucks. And last but not least, you can buy an infrared monocular for less than $125. It can give you an edge in a totally dark home where the power is out. There are nice infrared lasers for weapons now, too. On that same note, one of those two million candle power hand held spotlights is disorienting to an intruder who can then be sprayed liberally with wasp spray, or carefully aimed lead pellets.