In his July 31, 2008 commentary Jordan Monroe, radio journalist for the What’s the New What? radio series produced by Youth Radio, focused on stun guns and youth. Originally, pepper spray was standard equipment for police and law enforcement officers. Later on, pepper spray advanced to the position of standard equipment for average consumers.

Now, stun guns may be the hip new accessory for young people. In an interview one young adult said, “When you’re in a stressful situation, just push the button and then you’re done.”

Steve Tuttle, spokesperson and officer for Taser International said, “What we’re telling people is that when you’ve got millions of violent crimes a year occurring here in the United States, there is no denying that we’ve got an issue with personal safety. There are no scare tactics beyond that.”

About his book The Culture of Fear, and the mindset of the American public, USC professor Dr. Barry Glassner said, “We live in about the safest times in human history and in about the safest place in human history, here in the United States. And yet, there’s this generalized fear out there of the mysterious stranger that’s out to get me and get my children and my family because that’s what we have had promoted to us by people who are selling themselves in campaigns or selling products.”

Nowadays, TASERs come in pink, camouflage, and leopard print and are equipped with MP3 players! Is it a gimmick or an accessory?

Tuttle says, “What it is, we’re making public safety fashionable.”