There are a million arguments on both sides of this debate and in my opinion, this is a very personal decision.
As a law enforcement guy, I would just offer to you the following:
-If you are getting a gun, get the training first. ...and shooting at a target in a controlled environment is one hell of a lot different than waking up disoriented on the middle of the night, locating your weapon, and using it as deadly force.
-Get something easy to use and reliable (I like Glocks, but that's just me), and be sure everyone in your home knows what it is and how to use it (for safety purposes).
-If you have kids, find another means of self defense. Not sure about the public, but on the federal side we are actually required by agency policy to lock our weapons up at home. The "pistol under the pillow" crap in hollywood is a good way to get hurt.
-To those who think trained individuals do not have accidental/negligent discharges, you are wrong. Google the video of the DEA agent who shot himself during a school presentation. There are numerous others. Familiarity breeds laziness sometimes.
-Motion detectors, double locking doors, and a dog will prevent/deter 99% of potential problems.
As far as a concealed permit goes, if that is your desire, so be it. But you better understand the rules change when you leave your home and if you pull your gun for anthing other than self-defense, you are openning yourself up to a boatlaod of problems.
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