Does this title sound confusing to you? Well, you’re not alone. Because many people in the media such as television, radio, and even print often confuse ordinary stun guns with Taser guns. It is true every Taser is a stun gun but not every stun gun is a Taser. So what is the difference? How are they different? Which one is better?
In this post we will discuss the difference between ordinary stun guns and the not so ordinary Taser. This way you can see what the differences are and decide for yourself which one would be better suited for you.
How Are They Similar?
First of all the similarities. Tasers and stun devices are both hand-held nonlethal self-defense weapons that send an electrical shock to the body’s muscular system. That is about all they have in common.
How Are They Different?
The differences between ordinary stun devices and Taser guns are substantial ranging from size to price. Here’s what the differences are.
Stun devices are smaller than Tasers but can still immobilize an assailant for 5 to 10 minutes by using a high-voltage low wattage shock through two or more probes on one end of the device. The electricity comes through stored energy inside the device. Once activated, electricity flies back and forth between the probes creating quite a show visually. Additionally, you can hear the crackling sounds the electricity makes. Sometimes just the sight and sound of a stun device is enough to scare an assailant away. They are on average close to 90% effective.
Stun devices range in price from $15 up to as high as $40 and usually come with a lifetime warranty, a flashlight and sometimes an alarm as add-on benefits to the device. The smallest one is about 3 1/2 inches long so it’s easy to hide in your hand, purse or pocket. The range of power on them goes from 300,000 to 20 million volts.
Taser guns are used by over 17,000 law enforcement agencies in the country and are a critical part of their “continuum of force” which starts with obeying a lawful order escalating up to deadly force. Tasers are the last step before using deadly force.
A Taser uses low voltage and high wattage to disable an assailant. When activated, two electrified barbed probes shoot out to 15 feet away for civilians and over twice that distance for law enforcement officers. The barbs are shot with such force that they can penetrate an inch of clothing and can disable an assailant with contact anywhere on the body. Taser International, in study after study, claims that there is nearly a 100% take down rate with the Taser gun. That is why they are so preferred by law enforcement agencies.
Civilians can purchase Tasers for anywhere from $400 up to $1,000. They must be able to pass a background check before the product can be activated by Taser International. Tasers and stun guns are illegal in some states so check with your local sheriff first before you get one.
Which One Is Better For You?
Which self-defense product works best for you is exclusively a personal matter. You cannot put a price on the value of your life. All things being equal, and of course they are not, a Taser gun is the best way to defend yourself in a life-threatening situation. However, the cost considerations put it out of reach for most people.
Have you ever used a stun gun or Taser? Please share your experience. We want to hear from you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Taser guns have a look that, while not exactly like a handgun, does resemble a handgun in some ways. A Taser gun generally comes with yellow markings on the base of the stun device or on the end of the ammo cartridge to differentiate it from a regular gun.
Tasers are not considered a firearm however they are considered a weapon by most states and as such you must be over the age of 18 to own one. There are bans on tasers states such as Hawaii and Rhode Island and a weapons permit is required to own one in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Mexico, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
What a lot of people don't know is that the strongest legal taser isn't measured in voltage, many manufacturers make that number up. It's measured in microcoulombs which is the measurement of pain in the body. The strongest taser is the Jolt Protector Knuckle Stun Gun at a whopping 8.24 microcoulombs which come in above even taser brand items which generally top out a little below 4 microcoulombs.