[2.7RACER]

Hi Steve,

In your first post you stated........
"I would like to buy my first handgun. I really just want to have one in the house for protection."

In your most recent post you stated.........
"I am not buying the gun for daily home protection. I would just like to have one in case we experience riots in LA again or some other form of social unrest."

A handgun can be quick to deploy in an emergency situation.
It does however require some training and practice to gain the type of proficiency needed to be effective when needed.

Same with a shotgun. For pure home protection it's tough to beat a five shot pump action shotgun.

Whatever you decide on you need a plan.

Arming yourself in the middle of the night requires you to develop a plan on approaching that noise at the door or out in the driveway.

Of course you'll want a light, a strong light. Better some outside lighting you can turn on quickly without giving away your position. Motion lights work well.

Who calls 911? And when? Do you fully dress? Do you keep shoes at the ready?

Two teenage sons, will be coming home late, sometimes with friends. Their friends may also drop over at decidedly late hours.

I feel the best first course of action is a watch dog. Big or small they'll react to strange sounds way before you will.

Use of any firearm is very serious business.
Handgun bullets travel through walls, perhaps harming your neighbor.
Shotgun pellets, even 00 buckshot don't quite have the penetration through walls as do bullets.
Of course nine 30 caliber steel balls will go quite far before losing energy.

Home protection requires a plan. Are you going to a safe room with a phone and firearm or are you going out to confront this unknown source?

What about your sons in the middle of the night? Will they stay put or join you where ever you are. I certainly would want to know exactly where they are.

A safe room, lockable, to at least delay an intruder, with a corded phone, strong light and weapon isn't a bad choice.

Did I say you need a plan? This is very serious business.

Make a family plan and practice it a few times so everyone knows what to do.

Sorry for the long post.