Long guns are fun, but really mall ninjy, especially carbines.
Pistols are what most of us should concentrate upon, shotguns probably next.
Why do you ask, love? What does being practical have to do with gun ownership?
Long Guns. Anybody can shoot a handgun and hit something but I like the act of reaching out and "touching something" from 800-1000 yards away. Do that with a handgun.
Handguns primarily due to a lack of a suitable long gun range in close proximity to my house.