Recent media reports have increased awareness on the risks of daily living. One of the risks that people face every single day is crime. Each day passes by with more and more people falling victim to various criminal acts. Theft and rape are commonplace, and one finds oneself thinking: "How can I protect myself?"
Self-defense is a primary instinct for human beings. It is natural to want to protect oneself. Throughout history, mankind has developed martial arts and weapons to be used in defending one's self. Martial arts require discipline and training, and therefore time. Sadly, the modern world gives little opportunity for the common person to prepare himself or herself in this manner.
Mankind's search for new, more convenient ways of protecting himself has produced many less-lethal but effective tools. Among these are pepper spray, stun guns, and rubber ammunition. Of particular interest are the TASER Gun and the Stun Gun.
The word TASER is an acronym that stands for "Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle", named after a fictional weapon in a series of books detailing the adventures of the equally-fictional Thomas A. Swift. The term is a registered trade name, belonging to TASER International. A TASER Product, in its real-life incarnation, is a less-lethal electricity-based weapon with a handgun configuration.
A TASER works by firing two dart-like electrodes into the target using compressed nitrogen. These electrodes are sharp enough to pierce normal clothing and skin, but penetration is shallow. They are also barbed to prevent easy removal once implanted. The electrodes are connected to the main unit by fine conductive wires, which then send an electric charge into the target. The powerful electric charge disables the target by overloading nerves, therefore disabling voluntary muscle control. TASER Guns are known to not cause permanent damage to the nervous system. Police models have longer range than civilian models, but both are equally effective.
TASER Guns are excellent self-defense weapons as they are very unlikely to cause permanent damage or death while being effective in disabling hostiles.
More commonly used than TASER Guns, Stun Guns are a popular choice for self-defense weapons. A stun gun is a hand-held device, designed for close-quarters use. The stun gun is also an electroshock weapon. While it cannot be used at range like the TASER, the stun gun has the distinct advantage of being able to be fired more than once.
Stun guns are commonly bar-shaped, like electric razors. They contain rechargeable batteries, around which the grip is molded. At one end are two exposed electrodes. When activated, electricity arcs between the two electrodes. The electrodes are then placed in contact with any part of the target's body. The electric current causes intense involuntary muscle contractions and pain. This is intended to startle opponents (thus the name "stun" gun), and discourage further assault. In addition, stun guns produce a fearsome crackling sound when activated, and this can be used as a deterrent. Many women carry stun guns to defend themselves in case of a robbery or rape attempt.
TASERs and stun guns are portable, easily carried in a bag or jacket pocket. They are ready to be used when you find yourself needing to defense. Some may call these devices excessive and unnecessary, but as the old saying goes: "Better safe than sorry."
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