Easiest way to put it is this way.
Rifle - Long distance shots. Semiautomatic rifles like AR-15 types put out a lot of bullets with precision and are a good way to protect a perimeter.
Pistol - Medium distance. Kill or wound in situations where you can see the white of their eyes.
Shotgun - Short distance (indoors) and highly versatile. You can even load it with “less lethal” ammo.
Knife/baton - Hand to hand combat.
I am not a hardcore gun aficionado so please, I encourage further feedback.
BigDanishGuy@sh.itjust.works 7 hours ago
If you’re not a gun person don’t bother with a rifle or handgun, get a shotgun.
You don’t have to worry about over penetration with a shotgun, and it’s easier to hit with than a pistol.
If you want to know what a proper rifle is, then that’s really a subjective assessment. I would say that a 22lr is ok, unless you need fight people in body armor. But I can see how big burly Muricans want something in 338 lapua or 50 bmg.