Could have written This myself. I am 54. Shot a shotgun once. Gave myself a helluva black eye. ( yeah I didn’t know what I was doing either).
THIS Christmas I am buying a shotgun for EXACTLY the same reasons as this author.
2012 election.
My house was shot at during 2008 election.
They didn’t like my yard sign.
See GoatGranny’s post above. If you are on the small and light side I think a good FIRST gun is the Remington 870 in 20 gauge, and maybe even a youth model. Although my wife is on the short and light side and does fine with my full size model (20 ga.)
She doesn’t like the 12 gauge.
A pump shotgun is relatively easy to use and clean, can be loaded with a variety of ammo (cheap bird shot for practice, buckshot for in-the-home defense, and slugs for longer shots or to put a close-range deer on the dinner table).
Also find a gun range to practice at. I know with handguns you can rent a bunch of different kinds to see what you like and what feels good to you. I suppose some places might have shotguns and rifles too.
Of course if you mainly are concerned about your safety walking home at night from the bus stop - then perhaps the shotgun isn’t the best choice for your first gun!
I hope you still put up yard signs...Fly your flag, etc etc etc...
Shot a shotgun once. Gave myself a helluva black eye.
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I did the same, only I was playing naked beach volley-ball.
I read the responses to your reply. You were lucky to say the least. I wanted to teach our daughter to shoot before she went to college, but never did. During her second year, some guys took her dove hunting. She had never had so much fun in her life. I refinished a 20 gage last spring. I may give her that for her birthday or Christmas this year.