PlanetMace Blog

Choosing a Stun Gun for Self Defense

Stun guns and tasers are both effective means of disabling a potentially violent attacker through the use of a rapid application of stored energy. The main difference between tasers and stun guns, is that tasers shoot out probes into a target, and then produce an electrical current that shocks the assailant, while a stun gun is a hand held device with two electrical prods at the tip that dump a large voltage of low amperage energy into the target’s body, rendering their muscles useless.

Before considering your options for which self defense device is right for you, make sure to research the laws and restrictions in your state and county in regards to tasers and stun guns, as many jurisdictions place some restrictions on the type and strengths of seld protection devices allowed in their regions. Both can be purchased online as well, but you should still make sure they are legal to carry in your area, as being caught with an illegal self defense device is just as bad as carrying a concealed weapon and can carry serious legal ramifications.

If you’re considering the purchase of a self defense product such as a stun gun or taser, you should also consider when and under what circumstances you envision having to defend yourself, as this will play into your considerations for what product features are most critical to your purchase. Size, weight, and carrying method should be the key elements to consider in buying self defense products, as you need to make sure to be able to easily access and deploy your device under stress and possible confusion.

Carrying a small, discreet stun gun or taser will additionally give you an added element of surprise, and should be paramount in your decision. Safety features, such as specialized safety caps that inhibit accidental discharge of your product and wrist keys that deactivate the device if it is removed from your grasp during a struggle provide additional safety measures and are worth considering for your stun gun or taser purchase.

Of course with a small size, you still want to make sure you’re getting an adequate voltage, and with voltages ranging from 65,000 all the way up to 2,000,000, a charge of at least 750,000 should be good enough to adequately disable any attacker. Plus, the higher voltage devices give off a lounder snap, crackly, and pop when discharged, which serves as a powerful deterrent to any attacker or onlooking cohorts.

You’ll also need to consider the benefits of rechargeable vs. non-rechargeable devices, as non-rechargeable devices are simply used once and then discarded, while rechargeable devices use either Nickel Cadium (NiCd) or Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMh) and typically incorporate additional features such as flashlights, personal alarms, and other personal safety components. If you have a choice, NiMh is a better choice, as charges last almost twice as long, and the product uses recyclable materials.

The last major consideration for buying a stun gun or taser, is whether your product has a warrantee. Any reliable manufacturer will provide at least a 1 year warrantee against manufacturer defects, and many provide free service for the lifetime of the product. Make sure to buy from a reputable distributor, and keep in mind that these self defense devices are not toys, and can cause serious injury if used improperly.