Yes, the replies have been very informative. Part of me was expecting this thread to sink like a stone since answering someone's questions isn't exactly the most entertaining thing to do. I'm appreciative.
Is there any chance of a renewal of the ban this year?
To those who encourage me to buy an arm, I'm considering doing so if only on principle, since I live in a neighborhood not threatened by criminals. Problem is getting registered and buying the weapon costs a bit so I might have to wait a while.
You were born on U.S. soil. That makes you a citizen. What registration are you talking about? Most FFLs in most states just need a driver's license to make sure you are a resident of the state where you are making the purchase. A few states like CA, NY, NJ and Illinois may put you through hoops for something like a firearms owner ID.
You can pick up a used .22LR rifle for a decent price at many gun shops. .22LR is very cheap to shoot and you can enjoy many hours becoming a marksman with little impact on your budget.
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All neighborhoods are under the threat of crime, it's just a matter of degrees. The area I live in wasn't prone to crime just two years ago, but has gone down hill quite a bit as of late. A couple weeks ago I went down to the corner store to get a pack of cigarettes and talk to someone who works there. I got there about 5 minutes after the armed robbery just as the cops were ariving. I also missed a bank robbery about 3 months ago by a matter of minutes. With that hit rate, there are now decent odds of having to deal with a violent crime, in a neighborhood that was peaceful just recently.
If you do get a firearm, take some training (might even be required in FL), and take it to the range enough times so that you feel comfortable with it. Most gun shops will be happy to help you figure out the laws and hoops you need to jump through. A lot of shops that have an indoor range will even let you test out firearms before you buy them. The one I frequent had S&W day last week and I got to try out that new S&W .500. Now THAT is a manly round. I thought the Desert Eagle 50cal was a hand cannon, but this thing made the Desert Eagle seem like a .38.