Shotguns are the best choice for an "Only" Gun.

[wrenchman]

i no friends that live in rural areas and that all they have is shot guns.
rifes are not allowed for deer hunting were they live and they have realy never thougt about a hand gun becouse there kids hunt with them same guns.

[Adam Helmer]

As an update to this thread: Last week a friend and live-alone widow on rural 65 acres nearby asked for gun advice. She has a few bears that continue to come up onto her rear porch/deck and press on the sliding glass doors. She has no guns and deems a gun would be prudent if the bears get into her house. She has no gun experience and calling 911 is not an option.

We met at a local gun shop and there was a single barrel 20 gauge hammer shotgun on the used rack for $75.00. My friend bought the gun and a pair of ear muffs. At her farm we test fired light field loads, #3 Buckshot and slugs out of the 20 gauge gun. After a good range session, I left her with a gun to deal with critters on her land.

Again, I will say, "For those who only want one gun, the shotgun IS the gun."

Adam