I recently completed my concealed weapons permit class and now have my CCW permit. The instructor really spent a lot of time on what is and isn't SYG!
I have not bought a weapon yet cause when I do I want to know the gun inside and out on how to use. I do have an instructor just haven't made the time.
I mainly got the permit because of being SWF and the area I work in and have to drive to work in.
OT
You are doing the right thing and planning your purchase + training.
I have been a responsible gun owner + CC permit owner for many years and the key is I hope to never have to ever use a gun in self defense. The nice thing is I know I have the protection I need in the very rare situation that it would ever be needed. The bottom line is my life would have to be on the line before I would ever go for my weapon, and that is a very rare situation and luckily has never happened, and hopefully never will happen.
As far as the type of weapon, just be sure it fits comfortable in your hand, and be sure you know ALL the safety features and how it works. Then, take it to the range and practice as much as you need to until it becomes second nature in using it. It takes quite a lot of shooting practice to become very comfortable with it. The small foam earplugs are great and cheap.
This is just my opinion, but for inexperienced gun owners, sometimes a revolver is the better option because of the simplicity of its use and to me it is a safer weapon. Semi-automatics are a little more complex in their use. Some females find it difficult to cycle the action to load a round in a sem-automatic, where the revolvers loading is simple.
The main thing is to not let anyone choose for you. Pick whatever you are most comfortable with and can learn to operate it until it is second nature.
And, of course, always keep it out of the reach of any children that could visit or come over. I have a huge gun safe where I keep all my weapons if any visitors are coming over. I never allow any guns to be out of the safe if anybody is in the house.
Anyway, good luck and do whatever you feel is best. Some people decide to never own a gun and I totally understand that. I have been brought up as a child to learn to use them, so the training part for me was very early and has helped me become a safe responsible gun owner.
