Handguns are good, but if you're going for home protection, shotgun is the way to go. You've got more firepower, it's intimidating when you hear it being cocked (mossberg 500 persuader) when you run out of bullets, you can swing that batch like a baseball bat and beat the shitout of someone.
The permit thing depends on the county you live in. Some counties you can get the permit the same day you go in and apply for it. They do a background check on you, must be at the sherriffs office. As long as you have not felonies or warrants you will be good to go. Some counties you can wait anywhere from 3 -15 days, depends on their rules.
The only other permit you can get as a civillian is your concealed weapons permit, which means you can carry that beast with you wherever you go, except for airports, school zones and government buildings (libraries, courthouses, etc)
Get one of these for home protection and people will run out of the house when you pump it once.