Florida does have waiting periods in some parts. Here in Miami there is a waiting period for both handguns and long-guns. In Broward County I believe its only for handguns. Elsewhere I don't know.
Of course, with a CCW, I bypass all that stuff.
As for what to get, I'd say a .38 special revolver, or a 9mm Glock. I say Glock for an autoloader because take-down for cleaning is very easy (one of the reasons why all of my handguns are Glocks).
Smith 642 might fit the bill for revolver, and Glock 26 for an autoloader/bottomfeeder. Both are compact so she can put it in her purse. I don't think a Glock 19 would fit easily.
If she wants something other than those, the Walther PPK seems to be popular amongst women.
Or, she could go with something tiny like a NAA super-compact .32, or a Keltec .32 or the P3AT .380 (I didn't have good results with mine though so I sold it). If you get lucky though the Keltec .380 can be an excellent mouse-gun (but you have to win the Keltec lottery).
Other than that, straw-purchases if I'm not mistaken mainly apply to buying guns for people who otherwise can't legally purchase them. Unless the laws are different in PA, you can give a gun as a gift, so long as they are legally able to posess it, and in her case if she's 21 and will be getting a CCW, she more than fits the bill. I think the age to posess a handgun here is 16 (if gifted, but not with ammo stored or with it loaded - that has to be under adult supervision). Maybe I'm wrong and it's 18. I don't have my book of laws handy.
Best of luck.
Tell her if I ever meet her and ask her out - don't shoot me!
Of course, with a CCW, I bypass all that stuff.
As for what to get, I'd say a .38 special revolver, or a 9mm Glock. I say Glock for an autoloader because take-down for cleaning is very easy (one of the reasons why all of my handguns are Glocks).
Smith 642 might fit the bill for revolver, and Glock 26 for an autoloader/bottomfeeder. Both are compact so she can put it in her purse. I don't think a Glock 19 would fit easily.
If she wants something other than those, the Walther PPK seems to be popular amongst women.
Or, she could go with something tiny like a NAA super-compact .32, or a Keltec .32 or the P3AT .380 (I didn't have good results with mine though so I sold it). If you get lucky though the Keltec .380 can be an excellent mouse-gun (but you have to win the Keltec lottery).
Other than that, straw-purchases if I'm not mistaken mainly apply to buying guns for people who otherwise can't legally purchase them. Unless the laws are different in PA, you can give a gun as a gift, so long as they are legally able to posess it, and in her case if she's 21 and will be getting a CCW, she more than fits the bill. I think the age to posess a handgun here is 16 (if gifted, but not with ammo stored or with it loaded - that has to be under adult supervision). Maybe I'm wrong and it's 18. I don't have my book of laws handy.
Best of luck.
Tell her if I ever meet her and ask her out - don't shoot me!