As some of the other posters have mentioned, before you even consider how you plan to defend yourself, you must answer Question 1, which is simply how far are you willing to go in that defense. This can be an agonizing and in many cases a life-changing exercise...but if you don't honestly address Question 1, your efforts at self-defense will fail, and at the worst possible time.
Michael B
Golden words right there.And, that is it in a nutshell. The first, and greatest decision (IMHO) is whether you are prepared to take a situation to the ultimate conclusion, which is, taking a human life. Everything else expands from there. And, many people confuse 'wanting to' and 'being prepared to' do what is necessary, up to, and including, taking a life or lives. It also has to be a steadfast and unwavering decision. One can not waffle.
I personally don't 'want' to, and hope I never have to......but I
am prepared to. Be it with gun, knife, cane, bat, fork, or used chopstick...whatever it takes to stop the threat.