best self-defense options for civilians

[maluma]

I'm a 28 year old female living along in a not so good neighborhood in Texas. I decided it is time to gain more knowledge and skill about self-defense. Once I started researching various options online I found out that opinions vary dramatically as to what is or isn't effective, and what kind of situations I should or shouldn't be worried about. This forum seems the perfect place to get some more insightful answers.

I really have a number of questions, but I try to keep it short. I've been considering various self-defense items, such as a shotgun, pepper spray, knife, taser etc. versus taking some sort of marital arts classes or other options. I was thinking I might get a shotgun (and of course take classes), but realistically my guess is that if someone wanted to rob my home they would do it when I'm not there. Much of my indecision has to do with the fact that I really don't know what a "typical" attack looks like and what I should be prepared for the most. I'm mostly keeping to myself, and maybe I'm naive, but I just can't really see anyone being determined to get into my house while I'm home, when it's easy to figure out that when my car is gone the house is empty. A concealed handgun is not an option, since I'm a non-immigrant (the shotgun would be legal as long as I also get a hunting license). I pretty much ruled out getting a taser after reading other threads in this forum.

What I'm really asking is first, are there any reputable websites (based on research and statistics) offering information on topics such as what typical attacks tend to look like for different population groups, where I can realistically appreciate my risk, which should then help me decide on what kind of self-defense will be the most effective? This may be a really odd question to ask, and in that case I apologize in advance. And second, of course I'm interested which self-defense options police officers would recommend the most to civilians and why.

[Samuel]

[maluma]

I do realize my question may sound odd and overly naive. Of course I do have common-sense ideas of how and when people get attacked and what might help for defense. The reason I worded my questions like I did above is that from the widely varying opinions I've heard and read I believe there are many misconceptions out there, and I prefer to make my decision based on sound facts and research.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

The Nike defense - run like the wind.

Anything else you want to know you need to find out locally. Find a woman's self-defense class, NRA class (they offer some specifically catering to women) and take a concealed weapon class. Even if you don't qualify for a concealed weapon permit, most of those classes focus on the laws for defending yourself.

The other info you want with assault statistics for specific demographics may exist, but they're useless. Criminals don't go by statistics. "Expect the unexpected" and all that rot...

[maluma]

Thanks, Sgt. Slaughter, that does help some.

[Samuel]