Hi everybody, If I may, I'd like to ask you for your valuable input on this subject.

This is the scenario:
Middle-aged (50's) marriage, their sons recently moved out of the house.
They are non-gun people, they never had or even fired a gun, but their sons do. They never wanted a gun before but they now understand times have changed and they now need one to protect themselves.

At the moment, they have a DA revolver, unloaded, in a safe, because it scares them to have it loaded and ready. (They were led to believe by the media that guns "go off", and "accidentaly discharge").

They feel more comfortable with a shotgun. They are not as intimidated by one, and know that a pump shotgun can be stored without a round in the chamber.

So:
- What firearm (if any) would you reccomend for this couple?

- What do you think is the best gun for non-gun people to have in the house?

Remember, these people will not practice with their gun.

I love pump shotguns, but to an unfamiliar user, the chance of short stroking it is quite big and therefore a liability to non-gun people.

Me, personally, I think nothing beats a double-action revolver.
It's drop safe. It has a heavy trigger. Anyone can see if it's loaded or not. It doesn't have any compressed springs. You can see the hammer. It doesn't have a safety to fumble with. It's easy, it's reliable.

What do you think?
Thanks in advance!