I thank those have offered information on the different types of firearms and I promise that if/when I do purchase I will do plenty of homework and get training on both usage and safety.
I'm not sure how many of you have heard of Kennesaw GA. They have a requirement that all of the citizens, with the exception of those with criminal records, to own a gun.
Bag The Colors And Pass The Ammunition
Teddy Roosevelt wasn't talking about gun ownership when he said "walk softly and carry a big stick", but it conjures up the same meaning in my mind. I imagine that most criminals would be far less brave and brazen if alot more people had concealed weapons (carry a big stick).
FYI, I think he actually wrote "speak softly and carry a big stick" first.