[legion]

I've never owned a gun.

I haven't shot a gun in 15 years. (I've shot .22 rifles, 10 gauge shotguns, 12 gauge shotguns, .50 muzzle-loading black powder muskets, and .30-06 rifles--never shot a hand gun.)

Seeing news coverage of New Orleans has got me and the wife thinking that we are only one tornado or flood away from mass pandemonium here.

I have several questions.

1) Are there any models/manufactures I should avoid? Any I should seek out? What are the differences between pump and lever action?

2) What are the best/accepted methods for storage?

3) Is anyone aware of any gun laws in IL that I should be aware of? I tried searching il.gov and came up with nothing. Any federal laws that I should know about?

4) Do any gun ranges allow target practice with shotguns? I have only shot clay pidgeons with them.

5) Anything else I should know about gun ownership?

Please keep this civil. If your comment is along the lines of "don't buy a gun", don't bother posting. The decision has been made. Much like the political wrangling, a post here is unlikely to change anyone's mind.