Ed,
True, it would be loud, but hearing protection would be the last thing on my mind at the time. Anyway, the last time I checked, most folks who are in an accident where their air bag goes off were not wearing any hearing protection. Ever hear one of those going off? I did, from about 100 yards away - Much louder than any shotgun I ever fired.
But, since I can't carry my first weapon of choice, I carry a S&W 640-1 .357 magnum. Whatever it won't handle, I'll run over!
Klaus
"God made some men big and some men small, but Sam Colt made them all equal."