[onewhippedpuppy]

Jeff, your advice is interesting, I guess I assumed that an automatic would be simpler. Where would I be able to try a variety of guns, I don't really know anybody to borrow from.

As for a shotgun, I agree that in some ways it may be superior, but it's a bit hard to put in a lockbox under the bed.

Also, could you guys give me some perspective as far as cost on some of these? I don't really know what decent handgun goes for, or what it costs to fire a few through it at a range. I'd just like a few options to look for when the time comes, a good overall compromise on what I want that won't cost me a fortune. Maybe at a later time I could get a .22 for practice, others for some variety, etc.