Take a class. Then +1 for the Ruger 10/22 or even a .22 pistol such as the Ruger MK II. 22 ammo is cheap and plentiful. Each firearm can be had for a couple hundred bucks. You can get a box of 500 rounds for less than 20 bucks. You can hunt small game with them. You can target shoot all day for a few bucks. You can learn shooting fundamentals and wont pick up bad habits (like flinching) as easy as you would a larger caliber with greater recoil.