"What is a stun gun?" 

A Stun Gun is a non-lethal electrical device that emits a high-voltage and low-amperage shock.  A one second jolt to an assailant will startle the attacker, cause some pain and create minor muscular contractions.  A two second jolt will cause muscle spasms and initiate mental disorientation.  A three second jolt will cause loss of balance, total mental confusion plus neuro-muscular dysfunction, leaving the attacker on the ground and unable to control themselves. Don't be concerned with the amount of time you administer the voltage to the attacker.  The best rule of thumb is to keep touching them until they drop to the ground.  Remember, the purpose here is to disable the attacker, so you can get away - it's not going to permanently harm them.

"How do I test my stun gun?"

Certain precautions should be implemented when testing  your stun gun.  No part of your body should be closer to the contact probes than the switch and safety zone plate (about 1 1/2").  If you contact the gun above that point, it can result in a mild shock.  When you press the switch the gun will "arc" between the 2 electrodes.  After test firing, the unit needs to be discharged.  The easiest way to discharge the unit, is by touching the probes against another piece of metal.  This will emit a spark that will tell you the unit is now safe.

"Why doesn't a stun gun with 80,000 to 5,000,000 Volts of power kill someone?"

You need to understand that there is a difference between volts, amps and watts.  As little a 1 Amp will kill a person and most stun guns operate within the range of .001 to .003 Amps.  The wattage rate on the standard stun gun is between 7 and 14 watts.  It's the voltage that makes the stun gun so effective.  They range from 80,000 to over 5,000,000 volts.

Some stun guns are now offering a "rechargeable" capability.  They do this with special NiMH nickel cadnium batteries.  These batteries really do simplify the whole battery issue.  The new rechargeable batteries allow up to 500 one second test fires or multiple long duration contacts to either attackers or animals.  The best usage specifies an 8 hour charge every 60 days or 2-3 hours every 30 days.  The manufacturer also warns to not overcharge the batteries.

"Where is the best place to touch an attacker?"

The desired target area on an attacker would be the chest, abdomen, groin or lower back.

"Will I got shocked if I am being held or touched by the attacker?"

No, under no circumstances will you suffer a "charge-back" of voltage back into your body.

"How do I keep from getting shocked accidently when I handle the Stun Gun?"

Any quality stun gun you select will have a "safety switch".  When that switch is off, the gun cannot discharge.  When you are ready to defend yourself, flip the switch on and hold it down unitl you are finished delivering the voltage.  Then, you turn the switch off and put it away until you need it again.

"What is that noise I hear when I press the trigger?"

That noise you hear is the "arcing" of the voltage between the two electrodes.  Often times, that noise in and of itself is sufficient to scare off the attacker.

"Can I turn the unit on and off as many times as I want?"

Yes, the unit resets itself eveytime it is turned off.  Manufaturer's warn not to turn it on and hold it in the air for an extended length of time without touching something.  The unit needs to "discharge" or the unit can be damaged.

"How long will the batteries last?"

Stun Guns operate on battery power.  If the unit is not rechargeable, it will require either a 9-volt alkaline battery or a longer life Lithium 9-volt battery. Your question is like asking how long a gallon of milk will last?  It depends on how many times you drink from it.  Traditionally batteries should last several years, or approximately 50 one second bursts.

"Where do I carry my Stun Gun?"

The desired utilization requires that it be available whenever you need it.  You can't usually plan ahead in this situation.  It is recommended that you practice handling it, so you are comfortable with it when you need to use it and you know where it is.  The bottom of a big purse is not the right place.  You may want to consider a "mini" unit which can be easily concealed in the palm of your hand when walking into an uncomfortable situation.  Some of the models come with holsters that fit on your belt.  The best rule to remember is "Be Prepared!"

"Is it legal to have a Stun Gun where I live?"

Stun Guns are legal in 42 of the 50 States.  However, there are 9 cities or municipalities plus 12 countries where they are illegal.  Here is the list:

The states where stun guns are illegal are:  Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Wisconsin.

The cities and municipalities where stun guns are illegal are:  Annapolis, Baltimore, Baltimore County, MD, Howard County, MD, Chicago, Dennison, IA, District of Columbia, Philadelphia and Hong Kong, China.

The countries where stun guns are illegal are:  Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, India, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and U.K.

"What is the Warranty on a Stun Gun?"

The Warranty on a Stun Gun will vary from Manufacturer to Manufacturer.  This is one of the considerations you should review when making your choice.  It can literally range from a 30 Day usage warranty to a Lifetime Warranty.

"Why would I want a rechargeable Stun Gun?"

There are two obvious reasons for having a rechargeable stun gun.  It will always have a full charge and be ready to use whenever you need it.  After all, you don't use it every day and we humans have a tendency to forget to change the batteries in our equipment.  Two, if you physically touch it daily, when removing it from the charger, you will be aware of where it is at any moment, instead of trying to figure out where you put it last.  Remember, they say " out of sight, out of mind!".

"Is there any definite advantage to carrying a "Mini" Stun Gun?"

Don't forget, concealability and ease of handling are critical components in the effective usage of a stun gun.  The "mini" is smaller than an package of cigarettes and weighs only ounces.  Don't be fooled by the size, it packs a powerful jolt of up to 1,000,000 volts.

"Why would I possibly ever want a Stun Baton?"

There are several good reasons why someone would want to have a Stun Baton.  First of all, they range in length from about 10" to 20".  That allows you to make contact with an attacker long before they can ever get close enough to touch you.  In addition,  to having the high range of voltage (800,000 to 1,000,000 volts), the electrodes are on the very end of the baton, plus sections of the sides of the baton are also voltage activated.  This gives you the protection from an attacker taking the baton away from you, plus many actually have a wrist strap as well.  So, if the extra length advantage plus the high voltage makes sense to you - maybe a baton is just what you need!

"Does a Cell Phone Stun Gun really make any sense?"

This product gives you the ultimate edge in "surprise".  It looks just like a cell phone.  No, you can't use it to make calls, but with up to 900,000 volts of power, you won't need to call anyone for help.  Some of the models even come with flashlight features, other safety features, holsters and in various "cool" colors.

 "Will Stun Guns work on dogs?"

Stun Guns will work on animals as well as they work on humans.  They are non-lethal.  There are two benefits when focusing on dogs.  First, the sound that the unit makes will normally deter a dog from approaching. Second, if you need to break up a fight, jolting the dog will stop them in their tracks.

" I have no idea which Stun Gun is best for me, which one would you recommend?"

It would be impossible for me to pick the right Stun Gun for you.  I would liken the choosing of a Stun Gun to buying a pair of shoes.  If it looks good, if it feels good, if it's the right color and style and if it meets all the requirements of the environment that you want to use it in, then I would buy the highest rated power unit you can afford.  After all, it's the "volts" that puts the attacker on the ground!

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