also I would say that a good first aid kit and basic first aid training (stop the bleed, CPR, and maybe something like WFR) should be a first purchase, before body armor. train before you buy the kit (even if its just manuals and youtube videos), and match your kit purchases to your skills. training will also help understand the difference between a military-style IFAK designed to keep someone from bleeding out or suffocating until they get professional care and a hiking/household first aid kit which may be more focused towards minor cuts/bruises/burns, sicknesses like colds/fever/indigestion and maintaining comfort (blister help etc). both are useful but make sure you know what you're buying and how to use it- match tools to skills and situation!
If you don't feel comfortable buying a gun, consider buying body armor. LvlII+ kits, good ceramics, should cost you 400-600.
just to head off the obvious question here is why you should not buy AR500 steel plates and should buy NIJ-certified ceramics instead (sorry its reddit but it's informative I promise).
also I would say that a good first aid kit and basic first aid training (stop the bleed, CPR, and maybe something like WFR) should be a first purchase, before body armor. train before you buy the kit (even if its just manuals and youtube videos), and match your kit purchases to your skills. training will also help understand the difference between a military-style IFAK designed to keep someone from bleeding out or suffocating until they get professional care and a hiking/household first aid kit which may be more focused towards minor cuts/bruises/burns, sicknesses like colds/fever/indigestion and maintaining comfort (blister help etc). both are useful but make sure you know what you're buying and how to use it- match tools to skills and situation!
This is why we need a guns and self defense forum. Great info!