I was shopping at one of my favorite LGSs this morning, and a young man came in inquiring about what it takes to buy a handgun. The staff was quite helpful and the customer spent some time looking at the eye candy in the glass cases. Another customer was there, who tried to steer the newbie into a .45 because that's what HE had and it was 'better' in all ways than a 9mm. I cringed, and spent some time with the newbie after the old guy left. I told him I thought he was on the right track (he said he really was leaning towards a 9) and he should get his HQL and visit a range or two where he could get some lessons and rent a couple of different pistols. Then he'd have some more info on which to make a decision.