I own several guns living in the country and everyone in my household knows how to use them. My all around favorite is a plain old 12 guage shotgun. It takes care of snakes, rabid animals, amongst other things. I work nights and my wife has had to take out her 9mm when the dogs were going crazy one night. Some stranger was trying to open our front door. The dogs did not scare them, seeing her standing there gun in hand had them running. We don't have neighbors and these meth labs are not helping in the sticks. My step daughter has a 22 rifle and practices with it when I am home. The step son is aloud to use my shotgun or hunting rifle 270, and is very accurate. They have all been taught safety and I strongly encourage your local safety course if you plan to get one. And not just the gun owner, everyone in the house!!!!!