Back in the day...
I and mine bought good used police trade in Model 10s mostly, with some Ruger Six series.
Loading was standard pressure 158 gr, LSWC.
What I did, was have employees come out, and shoot a variety of guns and then see what worked best "across the board".
Model 10s allow a lot of choices for stocks, to assist in gun fit.
The employees had all the ammo they needed for quality lessons, and practice.
So these guns were in the business in various places, and on person.
Anyone from the 15 year old part time help to the 90 something year old could use these guns.
Shotguns were most often 20 bore, and fit for the smallest person that might have to use it.
A bigger person can effectively use a smaller shotgun, where a smaller person cannot effectivley use a bigger shotgun.
Lever Action 30-e0s were the other long guns.
Back up and last ditch, were Beretta Jetfire, and Beretta Bobcat, in .22 lr and NAA Mini Revolver , 1 1/8" barrel with the factory lanyard ring.
The NAA allowed one to wear around the neck, and with some "custom tailoring" or "alteration " other places about the person.
Ditto for sharp object.
Concern was being able to access if serious happened, with hands tied in front, or in back.
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Time passes, and Kel-Tec P-11 has replaced many of the old classic revolvers.
A P-11 is nothing but a double action only plastic "revolver that takes its load up its butt".
Youth model Mossberg [Bantam] 20 bores and some folks (depending) use the Mossberg Maverick.
Hey, let us hope we never have to use these, still if they are, they will be taken in by first responders, and who knows how long they will be in Evidence?
Lee Lapin shared with me, a $13 Rayovac LED. I never got one for me, still need one, still folks have added these to "tools in the toolbox" for workplaces.
Training is the key, with quality practice.
NAA is still recommended.
My rule, nobody goes with a BG. That NAA is taught to be shot, with hands cuffed/tied.
For girls especially, if overpowered, and hands going where they are not to go, a 40 gr , solid, standard pressure lrn into a eye, or Adam's Apple, or ear, or...
High Noon has in the past and I am sure still does, have "blemished" holsters.
To heck if I can find the blemish...
So a 13 year old girl can conceal IWB, or with cover garment for sure, a OWB while she is in the workplace, or goes to take out trash, or whatever.
She can work the Bantam...
Another gun is the Kel-Tec rifle...
Beretta CX4 Storm, in 9mm is another choice, and again Lee Lapin gets credit for that suggestion.
Just considering budgets and what works for across the board for everyone.
Again...take into account the smallest person that might have to employ a firearm.
"Small" is not used in a derogatory manner.
Just being a realist, a 13 year old is not as big as others.
Add folks physcially limited in some way, even recovering from a minor surgery or coming back from maternity leave.
H&R Topper , Youth, 20 bore Single Shot, is just a given to have around the premise.
Get the one with factory recoil pad, and contour it, to be more friendly to how ladies are built.
(girls have parts guys don't).
Or, Pachmayer Decelarator recoil pads.
Used holster bins, allow for holster that can be screwed under desks, behind doors, or anywhere.
Always, always, always , have a gun near any walk in vaults, and in them.
Ditto for freezers, and other storage areas.
That is where they will take the girls to have their way.
That is where they will take folks and leave them...
Stick a oxygen tank in such places so folks will not suffocate, and hide a landline telephone in there.
Also, install a battery light and alarm that will show and sound exterior, that can be tripped from a vault, freezer, or other area where one can be locked inside.
Get a plan together, run it, and have someone critique it. Layered defense, and practice this with employees.
Guns, are just part of the toolbox, not the toolbox.
Keep in mind:
Mdse is insured.
Nobody gets taken out of the business.
None of the ladies get raped in the backroom
Everyone goes home, and everyone survives a threat.