A long gun is a superior weapon, without question. However, the beauty of a handgun is that it is much easier to have at hand the moment you are unfortunate enough to find yourself needing a weapon. If you have the opportunity then, by all means, grab a rifle or shotgun but that opportunity is unlikely when sitting in the driver's seat or carrying groceries or sitting down eating dinner at a resturaunt or watching a movie at the theater or a great many other things. Therefore, choose the most effective weapon that you can keep on you, keep it on you as often as possible, and become as proficient as you can. That doesn't mean only slow carefully aimed fire but drawing from concealment, firing one handed as well as two and doing so as rapidly as possible. Also, practice without the sights because there is a good chance that you won't have enough time or light to use them.