The reason most don't hit with a handgun is under stress most don't look at their handgun sights. They just pull the gun, aim in a general direction, and fire. Spray the area with bullets and you'll hit your target right? WRONG!
I dry fire train several times a week with a handgun and one of my biggest habits is to line up my sights on my target before pulling the trigger. I know if I continually condition this into my head during stress I will do it.
If one wants to be effective with a handgun they need to train like this. If you don't line your sights up on your target, you will not hit your target. Obviously there are exceptions for very close quarters when you can't get your handgun out in time to aim. Different techniques should be used in these scenarios.
How can one carry a long gun into public? If you want to armed in public, a good concealable semi-automatic handgun is your best choice for a defensive weapon. Good handguns are effective weapons if you frequently train correctly and know how to use one.
HorseHillary! If you are in a fire fight and the situation is desperate enough you are using a handgun,you had damn sure better be able to point-shoot it. People who screw around with sight alignment end up getting killed. Using your sights is ok if you are behind a barricade or in a similar situation,but face to face with a armed bad guy out in the open,you need to point shoot.