There are two ways that a TASER can be used. It can be used from a distance by firing darts from a cartridge, or it can be used up close and personal. Using it from a distance is obviously the safest method of defense, but sometimes things get sticky and it can’t be loaded in time. That is why you must practice using it in both capacities.

The cartridges that are used can be a little pricy, but they are worth it. They use compressed nitrogen to propel the two barbed darts and they can hit a target up to fifteen feet away. If you can, buy a few extra cartridges so that you can practice shooting them. The gun itself usually has a built in laser scope to help aim, but gravity will take its toll on the darts. Therefore, if the target is further away you will need to aim a little higher.

These cartridges are perfect for protecting the home. If you were to hear the sound of a breaking window in the middle of the night, you could get your TASER and load a cartridge in it easily. However, you shouldn’t just try to take on a bad guy by yourself. Remember to call the police before you try to take them on, if you can.

If you are jogging in the park, you may not want to have a cartridge in. Though it is rare, the cartridge may discharge and shock you on accident. This usually happens if it gets too warm. If you must use the stun gun without the cartridge, then you should jab it into the bad guy’s neck or abdomen. Practice doing this and you will be better at executing the action.

Following these simple steps will help you protect yourself better and you will get more bang for your buck, so to speak.

If we go back to the late 1800’s we will see that this is when the first electric cattle prod was used. It used a very large battery and worked very well for directing cattle. This idea was simple and it had a lot of potential for development. Maybe it was just a couple of cowboys that were fooling around and zapping each other, or maybe it was just a stroke of genius, but someone got the idea that electricity could be used to get people to comply with orders.

In the 1920’s someone created a device for law enforcement that was based on this idea. However, it was very inconvenient and dangerous. It was a glove that could be worn by an officer and all they would have to do is grab the suspect in order to stun them. It had many wires connected to it that ran to a one pound battery that was to be strapped to the waist. Needless to say, it was never used by any law enforcement.

During the race riots of the 1960’s the police started to use cattle prods on people. They would zap people who were trying to start fights or pushing through barriers. It seemed to work pretty well, but the cattle prod would only deliver localized pain. Police needed something more powerful.

As the 1960’s turned into the 1970’s, the stun gun started to take its shape. A man named Jack Cover developed the first model of what would later become a TASER. Over the decades both the TASER and other stun guns evolved into sleeker models with higher charges of electricity. Now, people and law enforcers have convenient, non-lethal weapons for self defense and subduing criminals.

Stun guns have a high voltage and can really get the job done, the job of encouraging an attacker to leave you alone. Some stun guns have voltages as high as 800,000. If that is not enough to get a message across that says leave me alone I don’t know what would. If it becomes obvious you are prepared to use a stun gun on someone, they may change their mind without ever getting close enough for you to need to use it.

Along with the electrical shock some models also include an alarm. These are loud and will draw attention to their location. Anyone who is familiar with decibels and how things are rated knows that 100db is no kittens meow. This is an alarm that means business. Oftentimes an attacker will bail just at the threat of discovery that an alarm brings.

If you are out at night much another bonus that many models of stun gun include is an attached flashlight. Most of these are the newer, brighter, and longer lasting LED lights. These are popular with people out at night on any kind of regular basis. A flashlight can bring peace of mind all by itself.
Stun guns can help keep you safe. They are worth considering for personal protection.

A Taser does cost more than a stun gun initially, as well as the investment needed every time you use it. Cartridges containing the probes need to be replaced after every use and generally run over $25.00. Consider the cost of cartridges as you will need them to practice with as well as to carry with your Taser for protection.

If you have decided to carry a Taser do not skip the training. Once you are in a situation where the use of the Taser is necessary, the price of cartridges and classes suddenly becomes a non-issue. Practice and training will make you more effective as well as help ensure that you can keep yourself safe. Practice and confidence can go hand in hand, along with familiarity. Just as you would with any type of weapon it is also imperative that you store it responsibly.

As a non-lethal alternative, a Taser can be very effective and an excellent choice for personal protection for just about any adult who wants to invest the time and money needed to make it work for them.

Stun guns are not extremely expensive when compared to other options, making them a popular choice when budget is an important factor. The basics of stun gun use are easy to grasp for most people and this also is helping to increase its popularity. Due to the rise in the numbers of people interested or already carrying stun guns, there are classes turning up in cities, villages, and community centers all over the globe. There are excellent instructors available to assist people in learning the ins and outs of carrying any type of personal protection weapon. Stun guns are available in most areas as well as through online shopping, another plus. There is no waiting period, background check, permit, or licensing required for owning or carrying a stun gun in most parts of the United States.

The stun gun is a popular choice worldwide. For ladies looking to purchase a stun gun they are available in several different styles. They come in a rainbow of colors and prints, too! If you decide that a stun gun is right for you be sure to do your homework. Look for a reputable source for your purchase and know what you want. Be sure that you understand the different options available and what is most likely the best choice for you. If you choose to go to a store or buy online, there are excellent customer service representatives that are full of information and are ready to help you find the best fit for you.

First, hold up your hand and shout STOP! or STAY BACK! Hold the canister out in front of you and yell I HAVE PEPPER SPRAY! Depending on using your keys for a weapon is not a good plan.

Of the rapists interviewed at several correctional institutes across the country, over ninety percent of them said women who carry any kind of weapon, even a non lethal one, has a big advantage and is not worth the trouble. Of the potential rapists, only two percent carry weapons because of the penalty if they’re caught. Rape without a weapon carries a three to five year penalty. The sentence for rape with a weapon jumps up to fifteen to twenty years. The bottom line here is that if you have any kind of weapon, you’re probably more heavily armed than the assailant.

Most assailants of this type want to grab a woman and move her to another location so they will have the time and privacy to do whatever they have in mind. They do not want to attract attention. Therefore, yelling or triggering a personal alarm, which is designed to attract attention, is a powerful deterrent.

Putting up any kind of a fight takes valuable time away from the few seconds potential abductors have to grab and go. Every extra second you cost them makes it less and less worth the time and effort.

Make noise. Fight back. Live to shop another day.

• Pepper spray is portable. Carrying a hefty firearm is not even considered an option by many seniors. The weight alone is a serious deterrent. Although pepper spray is available in canisters up to a pound, most practical sizes are only a few ounces and fit neatly in the hand. Pepper spray is also easy to tuck into a handbag, pocket, or briefcase.

• Pepper spray is available with a couple of options. Pure pepper spray is the hot part of the chili pepper and is extremely unpleasant if it comes in contact with the eyes. It is also available with the addition of tear gas. With the pure pepper spray it is crucial to hit the target square in the eyes. If tear gas is added, hitting the bad guy (or gal) anywhere from the shoulders on up works well.

• Some models include the dandy option of a UV dye that marks the miscreant for up to about ten days. That makes it much easier for the authorities to find and arrest him or her.

As with any weapon, there is still an element of danger. Although there is no worry about possible cardiac involvement in seniors, it is still a good idea to avoid breathing in the fumes or getting pepper spray in the eyes.

• Size – Stun guns range in size from eighteen-inch stun batons to tiny little units small enough to fit in a pack of cigarettes.

• Shape – Early models are such a handful that even law enforcement officers avoid them because of their bulkiness. Modern day electronic engineers have miniaturized circuitry so that they can be packed in a broad range of shapes such as cell phones, flashlights, and palm-sized models.

• Power – Modern stun guns are usually powered by lithium batteries which are very reasonable in price and are available virtually everywhere. These batteries can deliver from 30,000 to one million volts. Since the greater the power the less contact time is required for it to be effective, get the highest voltage you can afford. That one element could mean life or death to you.

• Price – Stun guns range in price from $50 to several hundred dollars. Go for the most powerful voltage you can afford in the size and type unit that best fits your hand and your needs.

Parolees don’t want to get caught with a weapon, even a non lethal one. It could be considered a violation of parole conditions. Others with criminal intent do not want to go through regular, legal channels, either. Although not classified as a regular firearm because stun guns do not require an explosion to be effective, they are still considered weapons.

In the case of TASERs, they are not considered firearms, either, due to the lack of gunpowder or other explosive, though there was an initial jockeying around period in their early days. These days, if you buy a TASER the weapon is registered in your name, as a regular firearm would be. Part of their reasoning is that when some TASERs are employed in an illegal fashion.

If you are looking to buy a stun gun, choose a reputable dealer, someone with a track record. Check out the manufacturer’s warranty. Find out what happens if you don’t like it or can’t keep it for some reason.

Don’t pick one just because it’s pretty and comes in pink. Find out how many volts the thing can deliver and how many bursts it has in reserve. Check out the safety features and if it has a disable pin.

In most cases, you get what you pay for. If you’re the penny-pinching sort, remember that your life – or someone else’s – could depend on the unit you have in your hand.