Stun Guns And TASERs – Is There A Difference?

Stun gun, TASER, which is which? Are they the same thing? A lot of people use the words “stun gun” when they should be using “TASER”. There are a lot of important differences between the two. If you read in the news that an officer used his stun gun on a suspect it would most likely mean he used his TASER.

When you are thinking about buying a self defense weapon for personal protection more than likely you will consider buying a stun gun or TASER. They are both effective but there are substantial differences between the two. Knowing what the differences are will help guide you when you make your self defense weapon choice. You will be able to choose the one that best meets your needs.

A TASER has a “take down” rate of almost 100%. That is a pretty good statistic. A stun gun has a rate of around 85%. If an attacker is disabled by a TASER device the individual will be incapacitated but will not suffer any long term physical damage. If a stun gun is used that has a lower voltage rating the disabling effects will take a little bit longer than a stun gun with a higher voltage. Even with the higher voltage a stun gun might not incapacitate a person that is really under the influence of drugs.

The voltage rating of today’s stun guns runs the gamut from around 200,000 volts to advertised ratings of 3,000,000 volts. That is a lot of electrical energy going into a body!. The reason it does not kill someone is because a very low amperage is used to push that voltage into the body. The TASER device on the other hand introduces about 50,000 volts of electricity but uses a higher amperage to force that voltage out and into the body of an attacker. A stun gun has an impact on the nervous system. The TASER effects both the nervous system AND the muscular skeletal system, which has a bigger effect.

One thing to keep in mind is that when you use a stun gun you must hold it directly to the attacker’s body. This forces you to get that close to the person and risk harm. When a TASER is used it can be used while you are standing up to 15 to 21 feet away from the attacker.

If the cost of your self defense weapon is a factor in making your decision then you should know there is a big difference in the prices. For around $100 you can buy the latest model, most powerful stun gun available. Not bad really. If your decision is to buy a TASER then be prepared to spend at least $300 up to about $500. Knowing that the TASER is the most effective self defense weapon today might also help you decide.

At one time the size difference between a TASER and a stun gun was dramatic. It was not unusual to see stun guns about 10 inches tall and look bulky! That has all changed today. Most stun guns are available in a wide range of sizes. From around 3 inches in height to about 9 inches. The TASER International company offers two models of the TASER to civilians. They are the TASER C2 and the TASER X26C. The X26c resembles a regular handgun and is held as such. The C2 is small, fits in the palm of your hand and does not look like a self defense weapon.

When making your choice of a self defense weapon keep these differences in mind. 100% effectiveness for the TASER, 85 % or so for the stun gun. With a stun gun you must get extremely close to the attacker, with the TASER you can stay up to about 15 feet away. The TASER will cost you 3 to 5 X more then the stun gun.

When you buy either a stun gun or a TASER you will surely reduce your chances of becoming a victim.

Want to find out more about Self Defense Products, then visit Jim Wilkinson’s site on how to choose the best TASER device for your needs.