The second amendment is irrelevant-

[MicaelS]

24. I would argue this way:

SCOTUS has ruled multiple times that the police exist to protect society at large. The police are not required to protect individuals, unless said individual are in police custody. Therefore your personal safety is ultimately your responsibility.

The best tool for protecting yourself is a gun, in most cases a handgun. Since handguns are smaller than long guns, the handgun is more easily secured, and easily maneuvered in the confines of the average home or apartment. The handgun is less powerful than a long gun, thus if you miss with a handgun the round will not over-penetrate walls and possibly harm another. Since the handgun is smaller is capable of being carried concealed without attracting attention of criminals.

Some of the best cases from SCOTUS on this issue are:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_v._District_of_Columbia
Warren v. District of Columbia]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeShaney_v._Winnebago_County
DeShaney v. Winnebago County Department of Social Services ]

Castle Rock v. Gonzales