OT: Guns

I agree with you 100% Kris, and I applaud you for taking your own safety into your hands and not relying on other people.

Thats a good plan.

 Kris,
I think the most important thing that John said is to find one that FITS your hands. You have to be comfortable holding the weapon. For instance, DH thought I would like a particular gun, but I couldn't fully reach the trigger!

Sarah,
There is a gun range out in League City that DH rated as "OK". If you want I can get the info on it from him and forward it to you. Give them a call and see if they offer safety classes. There is also a hillbilly one not to far from your work (Alameda and Blue Bonnet I think). 

 a kal tek maybe small but the one you are willing to carry always beats the one at home locked up - my 2 cents:)

Not knocking Kel Tec by any means. Its just not on the top of my list for tactical applications. My brother owns 2 and my dad owns 1. Good little guns.

Paul you might be kidding.. But, IT FEELS GOOD..

You can go to Bullet Trap in Plano and rent just about every gun imaginable.  That would be the best thing to do to see what fits your hand and feels the most comfortable to you.  As far as ammo goes, you can buy online or at gun shows.  I buy all my ammo in bulk usually by the 1k's and get a better deal.  Wal-Marts also carry ammo very reasonably priced.  It is just hard to find in stock.  I usually get Blazer Brass or Winchester White Box.  You can still buy 9mm for about $9/box of 50.  I would look into a Springfield XD.  They are excellent guns and I love mine.  I have never been a Glock fan though.  They are just not comfortable for me.  I have a pretty extensive collection including some NFA stuff.  I probably like the Springfield the best out of all my handguns.

Yep, I have heard good things about the Springfield xd's, I love the 1911's but they are not a good choice for a beginner.

if you go to bullet trap they also do classes  - carry ones and just general saftey/shooting  - group and indivudule - we spent the money before I tested to have an hour of one on one instruction and it was well worth the money - want to say $40-50 range- and I have shot my whole life - nothing like a VERY experance person taking time to show you exactly how to handle YOUR gun -they also rent lots of diffrernt kinds

also please please do not make guns a big "secret" thing with the kids - they are Dads and Moms and are not to be handled with out permission but let them handle UNloaded guns WITH supervision - it takes the mystery out - Tim starts our kids very young handling his guns with him and we have never had a problem with one of them trying to get them with out permission - we do keep them in a gun safe :) but still

you can also (if you can find an outdoor range or someones property where you can do it) take kid(s), gun and ammo, and a watermellon out and shoot the watermellon - it shows them that these guns are real (unlike the ones on TV/games)

There is a smallish outdoor range over on Spring Valley in the north Garland area.  DH and I have been "members" for years but don't go over there too often for a couple of reasons.  

One, we have some acreage in east Texas and have set up a range for target practice and Two, I only like to go in the mornings to the Garland range during the week because the range master is always inside and I just don't feel safe enough with the different distance ranges when all of them aren't shut down to allow folks to go down range to check their targets.

Anyway...I prefer the Glock because I can use my DH city issued mags in mine, if necessary, so we always have plenty o' rounds.