I have an honest question. No ridicule please.

[truth2power]

I never come down here to the gun dungeon as it's called. I don't own guns and know very little about them, although I have fired handguns, years ago, at a target range. Didn't know anything about them then, either, but I'm pretty accurate at hitting targets.

My question is, whenever someone on DU advocates getting a firearm to protect your home and family in the event things really go to pot, they usually advise getting a shotgun.

Why is a shotgun preferred to a handgun? How is that different from an ordinary rifle? What's the advantage?

I can almost hear you laughing. Sorry. I'm really, REALLY ignorant about these things. But I think it's time I started to educate myself.

Thanks in advance for your help.