Right in the middle of that would be good. Around the house. Thank you! I just want to be able to protect myself and family. Thank you!
tbh you've picked the worst time to tool up, the market is fukked and all ammo and basically all guns that are useful for home defense are sold out across america rn. an ar-15 would be my first recommendation, even a couple weeks ago you could put together a low-end but reliable ar-15 for $300-$350 + $25 or so in tools, but not any more. mossberg 500 is another solid choice, it requires a lot more strength and skill to use but shouldn't be a problem unless you're disabled (might be a concern if you're buying for a wife too or something). the main problem is that all of those are sold out now too lol. if you need something at this very moment i think your best bet would be a well-used glock 17/19, a full size M&P, or something along those lines but you'll probably be paying more than it's worth. if you can wait a couple weeks i'd get one of these depending on your price point:
$350-400 - psa ar-15 - you can buy the upper and lower separately to save a lil money, you can build the lower to save even more money (building the upper needs a few specialized tools)
$350-400 used or factory rebuilt glock 17/19
$350 - mossberg 500/pre-2007 remington 870
$300 - sks - if you live in a slave state and can't own ars/pistols
$300 - s&w m&p/s&w 442/ruger lcr
$250 - taurus g2c/ruger ec9s
$200 - maverick 88 security (budget version of the 500)
$150 - midland arms single shot shotgun
$100 - used ruger lcp v1/hi-point
guns to avoid - saturday night specials (lorcin, jennings, bryco, raven), magazine-fed shotguns, usa-made ak-47s, remington 870s made in 2007 or later, cheap turkish shotguns, military surplus