If you're truly concerned get a pump shotgun. They are the safest and surest weapons to use in close confrontations. You won't miss when your life is on the line and you're scared shitless (everyone is in those cases) You can load the first with salt or small birdshot and the rest with buckshot. That will give you a chance to scare them away and protect yourself if really needed. Take a gun safety course first. As you said if you don't know what you're doing you'll shot your eye out. Practice! Shooting skeet or clay pigeons is fun.
Hadn't bought a gun in awhile so in my quest of simple gun acquisition a buddy of mine is selling a cheap pump 12 shotgun and a hipoint carbine 9 which is surprisingly accurate and fun to shoot. I just wanted the shotgun but he's selling both for 300. What the hell. I got lots of 9 ammo anyhow.
Martin is fine with what he's got. He'd never be able to carry a shotgun where it's practical even in his ride. He may need a Derringer.
now the whole world is crazy for the new popeyes sandwhich, which is in fact better than the one i had hundreds of times. they were sold out on government st today