The Gift of a Stun Gun Saved a Life

Last year, a Southern gentleman wanted to give his mother something she could use and that wouldn’t wind up collecting dust on a shelf or taking up drawer space. He did the research and settled on a small but very powerful stun gun, which he then gave her for Christmas.

Fortunately, the mom is a practical woman who had some personal safety concerns. Not only did she appreciate the gift, but she talked about it and showed it to a number of friends who live in her complex and others whom she saw in social settings. Throughout the following months she learned how to use the stun gun, got comfortable carrying it, and encouraged other women to consider stepping up their levels of personal protection.

Fast forward to the following year and a shopping trip to the local mall. When Mom left the safety of the stores and headed toward her vehicle the sun had set, though it was not yet full dark. Unfortunately, there had been no vacant parking spaces near the buildings, so she faced a bit of a walk. The good news is that she had stowed her wallet before leaving the store, carried her purchases in one hand, and had the stun gun and keys at the ready in her other hand.

She walked quickly, head up, and continually looked all around her. That’s when she spotted the man walking toward her. He caught her attention because he had his hoodie up, obscuring his face. He was also walking diagonally across the parking lot on an angle that would plant him squarely in her path in a short distance.

When Mom stopped walking and faced him, he kept walking in her direction. A quick glance around told her there was no one close enough to help. She was also well beyond the halfway point when it would have been faster to return to the safety of the buildings.

Mom knew the next few seconds would determine how the whole confrontation went, so she did what she had thought through and had practiced.

“Don’t come any closer,” she said, in a strong voice.

The man stopped for a moment, then resumed his advance.

“Don’t come any closer. I have a stun gun and I know how to use it!” she said more loudly. The man grinned and kept walking.

Just as the man got close enough to touch her, Mom swung her purse and shopping bag at him. Although he deflected the blow, he was able to grab her arm as it went by. That’s when Mom pressed the stun gun on his bare wrist and gave him the shock of his life.

He screamed and let go. She kicked him in the shins and started running for safety.

He called her a couple of unflattering names.

She got away.

Not bad for a little old lady.