Strongly recommend you not wait to cock and load any weapon until you see or are near a burglar. Best load it several days earlier. The sound of a slide action being cocked immediately before use is a movie cliche.

Re: Finally Got My FOID
 

With the picture your profile displays (I've always wondered if that's actually you?), I say you won't be happy with anything less than the "AK-47" Shotgun -- the Saiga 12 guage. If you shop around you can probably find one for about $350). Here are two on Gunbroker:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=55875861

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=55760909

One accessorized (kind of high on the price in my opinion):
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=55321403

No, that's not me. That's Sameer from "Office Space". If you poke around a little, you can find my actual picture.

BTW - light shotgun loads are not recomended. #0 shot (about equal to .38) is the most effective at putting the guy down with adequate penetration (read not over) and many projectiles. The lighter stuff doesn't penetrate well (see Dick Cheney's buddy).

I'd second the Remington 870, because I have one. It's a good gun, cheap, easy to own and operate.

And yes, IL does allow slugs for deer hunting. Which is nice, since we don't have a rifle season (helps the deer get big).

Personally, I would buy a shotgun for home defense, and a shotgun for hunting/skeet/trap. It just is less complicated, overall.

Also, check out used Benelli's (sp?), they make GREAT shotguns. I know they are kinda pricey new but you should be able to find a lightly used one for a good price.

I've had a FOID card since I was 13 (12?) and even thought it was a load of crap.

Congratulations!

At 3 to 5 yards, number 6 birdshot is lethal when shot into the center of the chest most of the time, and is recommended for apartment dwellers because that range is very common in an apartment. Number 6 won't penetrate sheetrock walls most of the time either, making an un-intentional shooting much less likely. In the home, if adequate distance between houses is available, one of the buckshot sizes works well out to 25 yards, or more. Also, keep in mind that at ten yards or less, the shot pattern is no bigger than a man's fist, or smaller with decreasing range, so sights on a home defense shotgun aren't a decoration, they are a must. A shotgun must be aimed just as much as a rifle.

Re: Finally Got My FOID
 

how the hell this isn't unconstitutional I'll never know

Re: Re: Finally Got My FOID
 

It's because the Illinois Supreme Court and the US Supreme Court will not do their duty. That fact should remove all doubt about court corruption.