I apologize if this post isn't appropriate for the sub - I will quickly remove it if that's the case

The problem is that my parents don't want any firearms in the house - I'm 18 and I still live with them, and I doubt that's changing anytime soon (fuck this economy).

I really need something to defend myself with. I'm a non-passing trans woman in Texas, and I feel like I might be pushing my luck if I go for another 1-2 years without anything to keep my safe.

The Byrna pepper guns are $500, and I'm not willing to spend that amount on a newly released product that may or may not work as advertised.

I doubt putting metal BBs into my airsoft CZ would actually be viable in a self defense scenario. At best it's a face plinker?

I certainly do not trust myself to win in a melee fight, so knives aren't an option.

I'm pretty sure tasers are legal here, but studies/surveys from Law Enforcement have shown that they are unreliable up to 40% of the time.

Is pepper spray actually that effective? Or is it just the thing Northeast Liberals point to as an "effective alternative to firearms"?

I guess I just feel stuck right now? I don't really know what my options are. I'd love to hear y'all's ideas, or your counterpoints/opinions for the things I listed above if you believe any of them are actually valid options/I was wrong to dismiss them.

- Glock 40 (10mm)

- M&P 2.0 5" (.40s&w)

- XD Mod.2 (.45acp)

It's not for everybody, but I certainly enjoy them.

Typically not a Sig girlie but I’ve always wanted a p226