Deltona..is turning into a 3rd World Village.!!!

While I can understand your alarm at having such a brutal crime take place so close to you, your request for information in the form of a challenge (i.e., "So If anyone has the BALLS to respond...") is unnecessary. There's no need for a chip on your shoulder here.

That said, you are wise to have included "learn how to use it" on your to-do list. I suggest locating an NRA-certified Basic Pistol or Personal Protection instructor in your area, and signing on for one or both courses. You can locate instructors on the NRA website, or ask at local shooting ranges or gun shops.

As for what gun to buy, the best thing you can do is try to handle and/or fire several different types to see what fits your hand, points well for you, and which you can shoot well. Many instructors will have different guns you can try, and you should be able to find shooting ranges that will rent guns you can try. There are so many used and new, quality firearms on the market that making meaningful specific suggestions at this early stage in your search would be pretty pointless. General suggestions would include looking for calibers no smaller than .38 Special in revolvers, and 9x19mm (aka 9mm Luger or Parabellum) in pistols, and looking at brand names that have reputations for reliability and durability.

Feel free to ask more specific questions when you've started looking into the basics for yourself.

duck
i have a few comments of my own, first off, try not to so hostile, this is a very pr o gun forum, were all here to help, listen to what mikegunner and the others have to say, theve been at this longer than i have. that said, my suggestion would be that, if you are new to the world of fire arms, i would tell you two simple things i was told once "up to a point, there is no substute for cubic inches" that said, dont get a .475 or sme huge handcannon, get a double action revolver, a .357mag /.38 special is a good start, for an automatic, a colt 1911 .45 Automatic is my new personal "packin pistol" second, "in a gun fight, if possible bring a longgun" now, this is pretty basic, a handgun range is pretty limited compared to a good M-14 or AR-15, but a good Pump-Action Shotgun will do the job too, in my opnion it will do it better in a domestic situation since shots are rarley over 50 yards, usuly threre accross the room, so a good Mossberg 500, remington 870, winchester model 12 (the old model 12's are realy good since you can just hold down that trigger and start pumping the action.....and you've got an automatic!) will do exceptionaly well, loaded full of 00 or 000 buckshot, there next to unbeatable at close range. get your self a good handgun, but get a good shotgun too....there hard to beat!

:shock:
Well!, Thanks a Lot people, I understand how you feel. It has'nt happened to you YET!
You still like shooting at targets and Big & Little Animals as they move through the Woods.
I own the other hand have Animals in my neighbor hood that like to take the lives of Innocent Boys and Girls as they sleep in their beds.
Just recently, I 've learned that a drug dealer is living at the end of my street, where I live !! The S._.B. is selling right out of his home and car to kids.
OF COURSE the "Law Inforcement" has been called and notified , for what good that does. Ha!
You know they have to "SEE " them doing it......he..he....

Well, anyway,
I just wanted to say hello to Mike Gunner & this Jag 45 Colt in ,up state, N.Y. "Hello"

Mike I bought the Vazuero 45/Ruger...What a beautiful GUN...Wow
and I Love the Kick..........now that's a weapon.....I do believe it can rip a hole through 5" of Solid Wood. and still keep traving to get some more........Ha ha........

Jag 45 Colt, I just have to agree with you there is nothing like
"00" & "000" from a shotgun......BUT...... there is just too much
Collateral Damage like walls, door casings, windows. etc.
You know the stuff you want to keep after catching the S._.O. in your house at night around 3 or 4 o-clock in the A.M.
And He or She is blown to S_it . for being were they should not have been in the first place. Like Robbing you or trying to cut your head off. while you sleep......Oh Well you nice Hunters just don't have to deal with the daily lives of Human beings trying to Survive.

Have A nice Day,

P.S. sorry for sounding like I have a chip on my shoulder, but being a X-Marine I don't like to have to be on the defensive . I plan Way........Ahead for the real thing...
you 'all come a visit sometime...By Now..

Immature Rant

Allthough I am totally turned off by the immature rantings of Duck4Cover I feel constrained to add something to the very fine advice he has already been given.

In brief, the advice from LIProgun about going with a .38 Special revolver or a 9MM Parabellum semi-automatic is excellent for the inexperienced handgunner. In a revolver I would get a S&W Model 19, 4" which handles .38 Special and .357 Magnum. In a semi-auto I would go Glock 19 and try to find some pre-ban high capacity magazines.

A more intimidating choice is the 12 gauge shotgun. I would go for the Remington 870, using 00 buckshot. In a deadly force situation the last thing you should be concerned about is what it does to the furniture! Actually, the sound of you racking the first round into the chamber of an 870 should be enough to send any would-be intruder running for his life.

In most cases people who burglarize homes do not expect the homeowner to be home. Simply vocalizing that you are in the house and telling the intruder to get out is all that is required. The murders in your neighborhood were revenge murders involving people who knew who they were after. It was not a random burglary for profit.

Also, like it or not you cannot shoot someone for simply breaking into your house. If they retreat from you it is a felony for you to shoot them and you can be subject to both criminal prosecution and civil penalties.

Now, the real point of this message: IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN IN THE HOME IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU SECURE YOUR FIREARMS IN A MANNER THAT PRECLUDES GIVING THEM UNSUPERVISED ACCESS TO THE GUNS! (Florida law and common sense.)

Now, on the subject of your immature statements:

1. Dean advised well when he said: "... stop sneering at people here you don't know the first thing about."

2. Fernando accurately stated: "You'll find quite a few "been there, done that" type people on this board."

Be safe.

Joe Forte said:

How many here have had the bad pleasure to draw a firearm on another human being. I have, and it's not an enviable experience. One that I hope never happens again. :?

Click to expand...

I have only had the "pleasure" once, and I only drew to a low ready. About 10 years ago I was standing near the door of a local gun show. The promoter was stupid enough to have a simple cardboard box as her "cash drawer"and she had between $1-2000 in it. The promoter was a young woman who could not have been 5'2/150#. A 6'+/250+# grungy looking guy was at the table, he looked at her and in a threatening tone with his one hand in a raised fist asked her, "Lady, what are you going to do when I take this here money and run out the door?"

I was only about 10 feet away, and drew to a low ready and barked out "Wouldn't be a good move on your part!!" ---

He quickly put his hands up, and backed out the door saying "I was just joking, man, just joking" He left, and after having the promoter come over and hug/thank me, I went and got a friend who was a cop that was at the show and told him what happened so he could call it in on his radio. They never did catch the guy.

Funniest thing is, at the entrance to the show is a sign that said "No loaded guns allowed inside" --- Luckily my belief in "concealed means being concealed" made it so I was able to have a course of action to stop a possible strong armed robbery.