Whats the self defense laws for a 17 year old?

I'm 17 I live in the getto, it's not the worst kind but I grew up here it's getting worse over the years but I get jumped alot and not only by one dude there in groups of 5. I'm whit so I get more **** from people cuz it's mostly Hispanics but I'm actually 2 generation Mexican I'm just light skinned an Spanish was my laugage but anyways that's my situation. I get mad dawned all the time on my side of town cuz it's a smaller town an people talk so it feels like no matter where I go I got to be ready you no. I get beat up alot an I can take it it's watever I'm just really stressed out il die one day from it becouse I used to hang out with these kids they do some crazy stupid **** i feel like at any moment I could get stabbed an that's not the first time I had a nife swong in my face I'm scared that the second time I won't get so lucky. I WANT TO NO WHAT KIND OF THINGS I CAN CARRY TO DIFFEND MY SELF AN TO WHAT EXTENT. I carry a butterfly nife with me but honestly I don't thinks it's legal but it makes me feel safer, I never pulled it out yet cuz it didn't Escilate to that yet but I have gotten ****** up so bad to the point I can't see out my eyes that good for a couple days. Police aren't a option that will make it worse so dont go on talking about I should get help I wana deal with it my self but I don't wana go to jail like these *****