I would encourage you to attend an NRA basic safety course, if you can. In the meantime, here are the four basic rules of gun handling. If you observe these at all times you are very unlikely to have a negligent discharge.
1. Treat all weapons as if they were loaded.
2. Never point your muzzle at anything you’re not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until the sights are on your target.
4. Be absolutely certain of your target and what is behind and beyond.
With kids you will want to secure any firearms. The other half of the equation is to train the kids. This does not mean allow them unsupervised access to the firearms. It does mean familiarize them with the gun and teach them safe handling. If you satisfy their curiosity they’re less likely to go looking for the guns. If they understand safe handling it makes it less likely they’ll have a negligent discharge if they do get their hands on a gun. Still, the weapons need to be secured when you’re not right there just like matches and drain cleaner.
The only real advantage a pistol has over a rifle or shotgun is portability. A rifle or shotgun might be a better choice for something that’s going to stay in the house. Even a .410 shotgun is more powerful than a .44 magnum and it’s easier to hit your target with a rifle or shotgun versus a pistol.
When I said smaller pistols are harder to hit with, I meant small in size not caliber. A full sized .22 might be a good choice rather than one of the very tiny .22 or .25 calibers. The larger pistol will be easier to handle and easier to hit your target with. A .22 has very little recoil and is cheap to practice with. That said, the smaller the caliber the less effective it is when it hits. But, a .44 magnum that doesn’t fit your hand and recoils so badly you can’t hit with it, might be a poor choice compared to something smaller and more controllable.
Double action revolvers are easier to operate than semi-autos but tend to have a longer, heavier trigger pull and can be more difficult to shoot accurately.
You should decide how much money you want to spend. In general, used is cheaper than new. If you buy from an established dealer, they will usually give some kind of warranty on a used gun. Even so, you can expect to pay at least a couple of hundred to get a reliable pistol. One of the very good pistols like a Glock will run over $600.
One alternative might be a single barrel shotgun. You can probably find one for less than $100. Either a 20 gauge or a 12 gauge with skeet loads is very controllable with a little practice. Plus, a skeet load won’t shoot through a bunch of walls like a rifle or pistol round can and yet it’s still a very powerful round at close range. If you get a buttstock shell carrier, it’s almost as fast to fire as a repeater. The break action single shot is probably the easiest firearm to learn how to operate safely.
Another advantage to most single barrels is the barrel is easily removable. When you’re not going to be home you can remove the barrel, lock up the rest of the weapon, and take the barrel with you. There’s no way the firearm can be used. A partial weapon is also less attractive to thieves should you have a break in.
A pump shotgun gives you more shots before you have to reload but it will be more expensive and it’s more complex to operate. If you opt for a repeater, you will have to train a little to operate it safely and efficiently. That said, my choice for home defense is a 12 gauge pump.
Just remember that there are no pat answers. You’ll have to decide for yourself what you want. Whatever you get, you will have to work a little bit with it so you can operate it safely and efficiently.
Feel free to let me know if you have any questions.
Here are a few YouTube videos on basic gun handling. The video on the single barrel shotgun illustrates what I was talking about.
Basic Firearm Safety
Clint Smith is my favorite trainer. His techniques and philosophy pretty much mirror my own.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6Y7LIJm5gI
Basic Handgun Safety
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKC03Q84Np0
Choosing a Handgun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4anaSPH5x7U
I get a kick out of Limalife. She has a lot of good info on her channel. Here’s her video on choosing a handgun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yCD7aGacvU
Beginning Shooter Tips
http://www.youtube.com/user/sionaprhys#grid/user/462A55E7EF75542F
Single Barrel Shotgun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhgwHQCJwWw
http://www.gunsandammo.com/video/guns-and-ammo/prepared-use-what-guns-you-have
My YouTube channel.
http://www.youtube.com/user/sionaprhys
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