[Bommer]

Screw a handgun. If your looking for family protection, nothing says "I love you honey" like a Mosberg pump shotgun! If the pump sound doesn't scare the crap out of a intruder, the blast will definately take the crap out of them. If your going to buy one, I suggest buying from a seller in the newspaper classifieds or someone you know. Buypass the 5 day waiting period and FBI background check!

[Dick Bachert]

Bommer's right. The sound of a scattergun being racked in the next room is a MAJOR attention-getter. If the wife is intimidated by a 12 Ga, a 20 or .410 can still reorder a bad guy's priorities in a hurry.

If you DO opt for the handgun, go .40 cal (more stopping power than a 9mm) and -- especially if you have KIDS -- go SEMI-AUTO in something with a separate SAFETY (Glocks have none). While they're easier for the ladies to use, a REVOLVER is ALWAYS "ON" and if a kid gets ahold of it...

A semi with a full mag in the butt and an empty chamber and the safety latched is tough for a kid to operate. The slide spring on a .40 is probably too hard for a youngster to snap to chamber a round.

Whatever you get, EVERYONE who may someday have to use it MUST spend enough time at the range to become comfortable with it.

I DRILLED the FIRST RULE OF FIREARM SAFETY into my kids and grandkids: THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN UNLOADED WEAPON! If they don't learn anything else (but they DID), that one could keep them out of trouble.

Be safe -- and we all hope you NEVER need it.

[PatrioticAmerican]

#6 - I'd go with the Moss also!

[john316]

DITTO..Don't forget throw in some 3" slugs and 000# buckshot.

[enraged]

12 GAUGE = "I LOVE YOU HONEY" LOL