| Stun guns are used by law enforcement, security | | | | 85,000 volts to 900,000. In general higher powered units |
| agencies, and citizens desiring protection against | | | | will disable an attacker more quickly than a lowered |
| attack. They have been proven to be excellent | | | | powered one. That said, the method of delivery and |
| defensive devices as they have incredible stopping | | | | the actual amperage of the device will affect the |
| power and yet remain non-lethal. Stun guns are legal in | | | | applied force. Stun guns typically use a 9 volt alkaline |
| all but a few states and no license or permit is required | | | | battery. Larger higher powered guns use several 9 |
| to carry it. It is considered reasonable force to resist | | | | volt batteries. Mini-stun guns use a 3 volt lithium battery |
| attack and can be carried concealed or unconcealed. | | | | for high power in a very small unit. |
| Stun guns are electrical devices designed to give a | | | | The different types of stun guns |
| non-lethal electrical jolt to an assailant. The prongs at | | | | The only limit to stun gun configurations are the |
| the end of a stun gun must be applied directly to the | | | | manufacturers' imaginations. The last three are stealth |
| assailant. While the voltage is high, the amperage is low | | | | models when you want to be covert. |
| thereby avoiding personal injury. The electrical charge | | | | * Straight head standard models |
| will pass through clothing. The charge will not go | | | | * Curved head stand models |
| through you if the assailant touches you. Like pepper | | | | * Mini-stun guns |
| spray, the device is designed to temporarily disable an | | | | * Cell phone stun gun |
| attacker and provide enough time for you to call police | | | | * Flashlight stun guns (flashlight and stun gun!) |
| or simply flee. The stun gun is designed to key into the | | | | * Stun pens and lipsticks |
| nervous system. It dumps its energy into the muscles | | | | STATES WHERE STUN GUNS ARE RESTRICTED: |
| at a high pulse frequency that makes the muscles | | | | HAWAII |
| work very rapidly, but not efficiently. This rapid work | | | | MASSACHUSETTS |
| cycle depletes blood sugar by converting it to lactic | | | | MICHIGAN |
| acid, all in just seconds. The resulting energy loss | | | | NEW JERSEY |
| makes it difficult to move and function. At the same | | | | NEW YORK |
| time, the tiny neurological impulses that travel | | | | RHODE ISLAND |
| throughout the body to direct muscle movement are | | | | WISCONSIN |
| interrupted. This causes disorientation and loss of | | | | CITIES WHERE STUN GUNS ARE RESTRICTED: |
| balance and muscle control and leaves the attacker in | | | | ANNAPOLIS, MD, |
| a passive and confused condition for several minutes. | | | | BALTIMORE, MD, |
| Although the shock is quite painful, there is no | | | | BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD, |
| significant effect on the heart and other organs. | | | | HOWARD COUNTY, MD, |
| Stun guns are designed to be 100% effective even | | | | CHICAGO, IL, |
| through typical clothing. The trunk of a person is the | | | | DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, |
| best place to administer the effect. Arms and legs are | | | | PHILADELPHIA |
| OK but not as disabling. A half second contact will stun | | | | Stuns guns are illegal in Washington D.C. |
| an attacker. A one or two second blast will cause | | | | COUNTRIES THAT RESTRICT STUN GUNS: |
| disorientation. In an actual attack, you'll want to use the | | | | AUSTRALIA, |
| stun gun until your assailant drops to the ground or | | | | BELGIUM, |
| runs away. This will depend upon the assailant and the | | | | CANADA, |
| stun gun's strength. Once immobilized, it only takes five | | | | DENMARK, |
| to ten minutes for full recovery. Don't linger. You have | | | | HONG KONG, |
| just minutes to run from your assailant and/ or call the | | | | INDIA (POLICE USE ONLY), |
| police. In addition to its physical effect, the stun gun can | | | | ITALY, |
| serve as an effective psychological intimidator. When | | | | JAPAN, |
| the device is first engaged it sends a charge of | | | | NEW ZEALAND, |
| electricity crackling between the two test probes just | | | | NORWAY, |
| below the shock probes. The sight of this blue arc | | | | SWEDEN, |
| sparking and the sound of the live electrical current | | | | SWITZERLAND, |
| flow may cause the assailant to flee the scene. | | | | UNITED KINGDOM |
| How much voltage is enough? | | | | Check your own state or locality for possible |
| You can buy stun guns with voltages ranging from | | | | restrictions. |