Information on guns in the state of Florida?

I was trying to see if i can get a gun since i don't live in the best of neighborhoods and it's always good to have some type of protection. Im 19 and i heard you can get a rifle at this age but really i don't want a big gun in the house just a small handgun would do. Can i legally get a handgun at 19? and if i can do i need to go get a gun license? Please all info would do