For god sakes don't get the Kel-Tec. It might be an ok gun ( I doubt it but..) but not compared to some of your other options.
FWIW, I was never into the whole AR thing either. It just seemed to me that if I was going to have a SHTF weapon that wasn't full auto it should be a shotgun. Nevertheless, the scamdemic and the ensuing public panic and price gouging convinced me that I probably ought to get one just to have it. That was August of 2020. I bought an out of the box 16" carbine from Adams Arms for $800. I have since built two more. A 10.5" and a 16" .223 Wylde. While none of them are really my weapon of choice, I do think they have a role to serve in the overall big picture. Their primary draw for me though is they are just fun to shoot.
In my opinion, guys like us who buy, shoot, train and collect firearms should own at least one.
That said, I would listen to Hans here. The HK or the Steyr is the way forward.