Tanya
First, Congratulations.
Now I'm going to be a Debbie Downer.
I'm posting this to say you really need to think hard about your world view.
This may be a very tough exercise for you but I want you to think back to just prior to you getting attacked.
Did you have any inkling something wasn't right?
Did you ignore that gut instinct because you have been taught to not judge people by the way they look or appear to be?
If so you will have to work on that, you have survival instincts for a reason.
I don't need a response I just want you to really think long and hard about giving strangers the benefit of the doubt.
I myself assume any stranger approaching me or my residence is there to do me harm until they prove me wrong. That doesn't mean go on the offensive, but stay vigilant.
Now that you will be armed, if you are attacked it's your ultimate duty to make sure you are the one that uses the gun and not allow it to be taken and used against you.
Last.
I was raised shooting and hunting from a very young age. For those of you that never had any experience with guns until you were an adult, please pass on your experiences to Tanya, there may be fine points I wouldn't even think of.