Friday, March 6, 2009

Should Stun-Guns be Considered Self-Defense Tools ?

By Peter Vermeeren

Law Enforcement departements as well as civilians have recurred to the Stun-Gun for self-defense and law enforcement when non-lethal force was requiered. The stun-gun as we know it today was invented in 1974 by a NASA scientist called Jack Cover. The Stun-Gun is an electroshock device that neutralizes an attacker by an high voltage electroshock.

The idea of a non-lethal weapon for self-defense purposes is very attractive and in many cases preferred. Conventional weapons like knives and guns are illegal in most places and can also be used against the carrier causing serious injuries or even death. The use of firearms can not only kill or maim the attacked but can also harm innocent bystanders.

How does the law look upon Stun-Guns for Self-Defense ?

With our world changing at a very rapid pace, stun-gun laws change too. Many states don't allow the stun-guns if you are not a police officer like for example in New York, Michigan, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Hawaii. Other states allow only certain types of stun guns. The regulations according to stun-guns can also depend on your local city laws so when you want to purchase a stun-gun make sure to check with your local police if you are allowed to carry them before you buy one.

In addition, most states do not allow people under the age of eighteen to possess or use stun guns. Restrictions also obviously apply to convicted criminals as well.

How Stun Guns Work

Stun guns work as a tool for self-defense by incapacitating the person receiving the shock. By using a high amount of volts in combination with a low amount of amps, stun guns send massive amounts of energy into a persons muscles, immediately converting blood sugar into lactic acid, which locks up the muscles of the person receiving the blast from the stun gun. Once the attacker has been incapacitated, the victim is able to flee and seek safety. As a self-defense tool, stun guns are not designed to be used for prolonged exposure, which can be risky for the person receiving the shock.

Different Types of Stun-Guns used as Self-Defense tools

Stun guns can refer to a variety of electroshock weapons, including tasers and cattle prods, but the conventional stun gun is the type most readily available to ordinary citizens looking to purchase items for use as self-defense tools such as stun guns. Conventional or standard stun guns are usually pocket-sized and powered by a simple, nine-volt battery. A series of tiny transformers increases the voltage in the current, which can run up to 150,000 volts.

In order to employ a stun gun for use as a self-defense tool, the victim needs only to touch both prongs of the device anywhere on the attacker. Parts of the body most sensitive to electroshock include the upper shoulder, below the rib cage, and the upper hip. Even if the attacker is touching another person, such as his victim, the shock is restricted to the person on whom the prongs of the stun gun are directly placed.

Once the attacker receives the shock from the stun gun, he cannot help but fall to his knees. The attacker is thus disabled for up to five minutes, yet suffers no permanent damage or serious injury, meaning he cannot usually come back and sue the victim for using undue force, as long as the stun gun was used legally, yet another reason why stun guns are viable for use as self-defense tools in many cases.

More About Stun Guns and other non-lethal devices on www.hitechsecurityproducts.com

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