Firearms are a legitimate topic of discussion. That said, Doug and I ( both firearm owners) know to well this subject can turn into a Frankenstein made up of Michael Moore and Col Jeff Cooper body parts. So once more into the breech and posters mind your manners. You have made a few very telling remarks. This is a point of conflict with your family. You don't seem to have a great deal of firearms experience, yet perceive several potential scenarios of need. Retailers LOVE consumers like you. You need to sit down, put your hands on your head and count to 10 on this. I would find a local shooting range, gun club or collector's association. The people involved in this activity are opinionated, prejudiced and oftentimes dead wrong about reality. But, they can help you "kick some tires." A firearm is no less expensive, potentially dangerous and with social liability than a car. Would you buy a corvette right out of high school driver's ed? Where do you live? What prompted this interest? Who will have ( or get) access to these tools? Lets cypher these problems before stirring the Alchemist's pot of ballistics and delivery systems.