Signs of the time, I’m wondering if I should go out and buy a firearm. Not too sure I could carry around my Dad’s old shotgun as it might look bad. I think there are several of my neighbors that have firearms but I would have no Idea as what to get if I do buy one.
You should. When things get bad enough that the average person decides it's time, there will be NO guns nor ammo on store shelves (assuming the government hasn't banned sales, as happened during the LA Riots).
There are lots of threads on the subject, a new "what's a good gun for a newbie" thread starts about every other week.
I have a Mossberg 500 shotgun for home protection.
Short barrel so it’s easy to maneuver in tight quarters, the safety is exactly in the natural location, by the thumb so it’s easy to slide. It may not be natural for those who hunt with Remington’s and are used to the safety by the trigger, but I’m a non-hunter and for me it’s perfect.
I got it in silver so I can easily find it at night when it may be hard to quickly locate a darker gun.
I keep a shell in the chamber for that extra fraction of a second that may be needed in an emergency. I just have to slide the safety and I’m in business.