Handguns ARE legal, under a restricted firearm permit. I won't get into the details, but the only place you could defend yourself with a handgun is in your home or at the range or in transit between the two.

Now, here's why you can't defend yourself in your home with any gun. The new (ten years or so) laws require that all firearms must be secured and all ammunition must be secured. Firearms and ammunition must be secured separately. Secured means under lock and key or rendering the firearm useless by means of a trigger lock or various other means. So, if someone enters your home with criminal intent, you have to unlock the firearm, unlock the ammo, load the firearm, and, by that time, kiss your ass goodbye.