Occasionally I get questions off of Facebook whether tasers and stun guns could replace guns for home defense. They like the idea that they don’t have to have something that could kill someone.
Well, there are problems with this line of thinking. You really have to understand what tasers and stunguns are and their limitations. I found a good video that discusses the issue.
Here is a summary of what he talks about on the video:
Stun Guns
Stun guns are really outdated technology. You will very rarely find a police officer or even a security guard carry one.Stun guns are irritants. That means the only thing they do is piss someone off enough either they stop what they are doing and comply with what you want them to do or they take it away from you.
You have to touch the stun gun to the threat for at least 3 to 5 seconds to take effect on a normal person (much longer for a enraged or drugged up threat.) Think about how many times you can be punched in the face for 3 to 5 seconds. Think about how many times your loved ones can be thumped on during 3 to 5 seconds.
Stun guns are a bad idea in general.
Tasers
Tasers are different. Tasers are an incapacitant. That means when a bad guy gets hit by one, his muscles tense up and he falls down unable to move for a short period.
This is all well and good, but one major problem with tasers is that they are basically one shot. If you miss, you have to reel in the darts and reload it, now with a very pissed off threat.All in all, tasers and stun guns are not a replacement for a home defense gun. They are not meant to take out a threat to your life. Police don’t taser someone with a gun. They shoot them.
Make sure you check out the video. He covers a couple more points.
Let us know in the comments what you think about tasers and stun guns.
Photo Credit: Star
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