I never had a gun in my life until thugs broke into my son's apartment, help him up at gunpoint and beat him--just lucky he wasn't shot.
I bought a .357 Magnum the next day.
After witnessing the gangsters running wild in New Orleans, I will be buying a shotgun and, because my wife is petite and has trouble handling the .357, a .22 or something for her.
Riots could break out for any number of reasons. We see now what "Lord of the Flies" is really like. Even if you do not live in a big city, you need to arm yourselves. If ever you doubt that, play a tape of that New Orleans film footage over and over, and read about the rapes and the murders. Get that gun!
Get the wife a .357 and have her shoot .38.
I'm from Texas, and my dad and brothers are all hunters. Growing up I was surrounded by guns, but I never thought about them as a life saver. I've hated the idea of a gun in my house because of my kids, but my kids are good. Plus, we'll just lock a few away in the attic in case of emergency.
Yes,this whole mess in New orleans has me thinking of adding a couple more guns to my collection, as well as sufficient ammo.
Try out a good semiautomatic. A .45 ACP autoloader will have less felt recoil than your .357 Mag revolver.
My Browning 9mm has only slightly more felt recoil than my .22 LR revolver.