Now that I've read all these posts, I think the answer might be that perhaps they shouldn't own a handgun if they're not going to practice and become familiar with it?
BINGO
As someone mentioned already, for most of the 19th, 20th Century, and beyond, lots of Americans have acquired handguns, learned their basic function, maybe shot them a couple of times, kept them loaded in a sock drawer, and have used them to thwart crimes against them in their homes. So long as you know how to safely handle it, it's an advantage to have one in most cases, vs not having one.
