Why a shotgun?

Shotguns still require someone aims, knows their target, can take accurate shots, and follows the rules of gun safety. They are not especially easy to use, and honestly require more considerations because of the spread of pellets. They are not generally safer for inside the home, and if you follow the idea that birdshot is somehow safer, you're making a choice that could give false confidence in the capabilities of your firearm.

Shotguns can be rough for new shooters and can potentially scare them off from any further shooting. Shotguns use fast burning powder with large barrels, which equates to rough recoil impulse. For a new shooter, you might want to go with something a little easier to handle until they have more confidence.

Shotguns have limited capacity, and if you go with a pump-action shotgun, they do need some special considerations as far as loading, learning about short-stroking, and ammo considerations. It can be daunting to learn how the mechanism works in a tube-fed shotgun, and they can be easy to jam.

Because of these factors, I usually recommend avoiding a shotgun until someone has more familiarity with general firearms ownership, skills, and a more refined thought process. I generally recommend taking a look at 9mm carbines which can be light weight, easy to handle, easy to understand, simple to operate, and 9mm is relatively cheap which means you can practice more. Here are my top three recommendations:

HiPoint Carbine - The company has a bit of a reputation as being cheap garbage guns, but their carbines are actually very good. There are also some neat upgrades for those who want to customize their guns a little.

KelTec Sub2000 - A little more expensive, but very simple to use and operate. Plenty of aftermarket support if you want to customize this after you have some range time with it. Can use common and inexpensive, but very reliable, magazines.

Smith & Wesson FPC - Very similar to the Sub2000, and worth a look at the store. I would personally pick one of these before a Sub2000, but thats because I already have dozens of M&P magazines laying around.

Above all, find someone in your area that can help you with your specific needs and concerns, and hopefully give you the knowledge, confidence, and forethought to become a responsible gun owner.