Just so I am clear on some things...... If someone is under attack, it is acceptable to fight back by whatever means necessary.

People expect you to use appropriate measures as best you can. If you have a stuck and a flamethrower, and some comes at you with a knife, use the stick to knock it away first. If you start with the flamethrower you’ll get in trouble.

Why you had both of those for self defense raises questions though.