Sister Wednesday Needs Advice from the PoliBaws (And Bawettes who may be knowledgeable)

As most of y’all know I live in Baton Rouge, LA. I live a few miles from LSU Campus. The current mayor of Baton Rouge is a fricking idiot who does not care that the state’s flagship University is located in her jurisdiction and basically DGAF about whether people who live in my area of town are safe. The real estate in my neighborhood is expensive. It’s a charming area of town -
With lots to do and it’s fun living near campus even though LSU has been a woke shitshow of late

There have been 3 shootings near my house in the last few months. One dude was walking down the street in broad daylight. The other 2 we’re washing their fricking cars.

On Sunday - and I don’t know her - but have mutual friends - a woman was raped at 7:45ish pm (ie still while waning daylight) leaving Ivar’s Bar. She and her friend were in separate cars. And it happened around Bolton’s pharmacy. From what I understand she was going to meet her friend for dinner and then didn’t show up and that’s how they found her. I think the freak who did it is still at large. He was just a rando walking around and saw the victim and then assaulted her. That is my worst fear. I would Rather be dead.

For those of you who live in the area - you know this is a popular and populated area. I go to Bolton’s pharmacy all the time. I shop at the grocery store. I patronize all of the bars, shops and restaurants adjacent to it all the time. (Never been much of an Ivars fan tho). I am sure that you Baws with daughters or sisters who go to LSU or who live in the area do all this stuff too.

I’m so pissed I can’t stand it. I’m not letting these people run me out of town. I’m also not waiting on Sharon Weston Broome to stop being a fricking incompetent moron for another day.

I want to get a concealed carry permit. I want a gun in my house, in my purse and my car console.

I am a TERRIBLE shot. My plan is to get MACE until I feel comfortable completely that I wont shoot off my foot and know that I could shoot to kill some rando who decides he wants to rape me in my car.

So. My questions are:

1- what is the most awful MACE that burns the hell out of someone that I can put in my purse, my car and my house till I’m confident that I can use a firearm safely and effectively.

2- what kind of gun(s) (small and easy to handle) do I buy? I know NOTHING about guns. So feel free to speak to me like I’m stupid on this point. I don’t understand what calibers millimeters or any of that shite means. I would be terrified to use some kind of rifle or shotgun. I don’t want it to knock me over.

3 - where do I buy said gun in BR (Ie what vendor is most knowledgeable and will they let me store it there while I practice)

4- where do I go to practice once I own said gun.

5- once I figure out what I’m doing where do I get a concealed carry permit.

6- are there any cons to my plan that I am not considering?