FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT STUN DEVICES
Stun Batons use the same technology as Stun Guns to immobilize an aggressor. The electrical discharge that they deliver is non-lethal. However, if you strike the attacker with the stun baton, it may cause serious injury or death in the same manner in which a blow with a standard baton might. The extended reach of stun batons makes them ideal for police officers and security personnel. However, due to their size, they may be undesirable for
some individuals as they do not fit in a pocket or purse, with the exception of our 500,000 volt mini stun baton.
A stun gun is a hand held, electrical self defense device that uses high voltage to stop an attacker. Touching a person with the prongs on the gun quickly immobilizes the attacker by causing intense pain and loss of muscle control. However, because the amperage is very low, no serious or permanent injury is inflicted. They are used by police departments, security agencies, and individuals desiring protection against attack. They have been proven to be an excellent defensive device as they have incredible stopping power and yet remain non-lethal. Typically they operate on one or two 9-volt batteries and range from 65,000 volts to 500,000 volts.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF A STUN GUN?
The stun gun is designed to key into the nervous system. It dumps its energy into the muscles at a high pulse frequency that makes the muscles work very rapidly, but not very efficiently. This rapid work cycle depletes blood sugar by converting it into lactic acid, all in just seconds. The resulting energy loss makes it difficult to move and function. At the same time, the tiny neurological impulses that travel throughout the body to direct muscle movement are interrupted. This causes disorientation and loss of balance, leaving the attacker in a passive and confused condition for several minutes. Still it has no significant effect on the heart and other organs. As a general rule, a 1/4 second contact will repel and startle the attacker, giving intense pain and muscle contraction. One to two seconds will cause intense pain, muscle spasms and a dazed mental state which may drop the attacker to the ground. Over three seconds it will cause intense pain, loss of balance, loss of muscle control, mental confusion and disorientation. Generally any charge over three seconds will cause the aggressor to fall to the ground. The aggressor will be unable to recover for several minutes and effects may last for up to fifteen minutes.
IF THE AGGRESSOR IS TOUCHING ME, WILL I BE ZAPPED?
No! Even if the aggressor is physically touching you when you fire the stun gun into them you can not suffer from a charge back!
WILL A STUN GUN WORK THROUGH CLOTHING?
Yes. Stun guns are designed to be effective even through up to two inches of typical clothing.
ARE STUN GUNS LEGAL TO CARRY WHERE I LIVE?
We are unable to ship Stun guns to the following cities and states: Hawaii,Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York,
Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Illinois, Connecticut, Washington DC,
Phila, PA, Baltimore, MD and Annapolis, MD. You should check your local laws for any restrictions.
WILL A STUN GUN WORK ON THOSE UNDER THE INFLUENCE?
Yes! Stun guns do indeed work even on those under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.
WHAT DOES THE NUMBER OF VOLTS MEAN TO ME?
The voltage that a stun gun delivers is not necessarily the most important variable in whether or not a stun gun is effective. Although higher voltage can translate into a very effective stun gun, equally important is the delivery and the amperage of the charge. A lower voltage stun gun with a better method of delivery may be more effective than the stun gun with higher voltage.
CAN A STUN GUN BE FIRED MULTIPLE TIMES?
Yes. With a new set of batteries a stun gun can be fired many, many times. This makes a stun gun an excellent choice for defending yourself against multiple assailants.
ARE STUN GUNS SAFE TO USE?
Both medical and scientific communities have determined that stun guns are completely safe because they cause no permanent damage to the attacker. In fact, they have no effect on involuntary muscles such as the heart and lungs. Stun Guns will not permanently harm someone with a pacemaker.
DOES THE DEVICE HAVE A SAFETY SWITCH TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENTAL ACTIVATION OF THE UNIT?
Most models include a safety switch separate from the On/Off switch. The unit cannot produce a shock unless the safety switch is activated AND the On/Off switch is turned ON.
CAN I TRAVEL WITH A STUN GUN?
There are no Federal statues governing stun devices other than air carrier travel, public forums, sporting events, court houses and other government buildings which are restricted. When traveling you should place your "Stun Gun in checked luggage only.
WHAT IF A CHILD GETS THEIR HANDS ON IT?
A Stun Gun is much safer to have in your home than a gun. If the device is touched to the body and the button depressed, the muscles go limp in one millisecond (1/1000th of a second), so that the button is instantly released. Nevertheless, we highly recommend that you take all necessary precautions to insure that it does not get into the hands of a child. Stun Guns are NOT TOYS, they are highly effective self defense devices that should be taken seriously.
WHAT IS THE POWER SOURCE?
The stun devices that we carry require 9-volt alkaline batteries. Not all brands of 9-volt batteries will work in a stun gun due to the amount of power they require. For this reason we recommend that you use ONLY fully charged Energizer alkaline batteries.
HOW CAN I CARRY THE STUN GUN?
Most models are small enough to fit easily inside a pocket or purse. Most models also include a belt clip attachment so the unit can be conveniently worn on the waist while walking, jogging, etc. Stun gun holsters are also available for purchase. The holsters include a belt attachment for convenient carrying and can be easily concealed under a suit or jacket.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A 100,000 VOLT STUN GUN AND HIGHER VOLTAGE STUN GUNS?
Depending on the length of direct contact, a 100,000 volt stun gun will cause pain, muscle contractions, disorientation and the loss of balance. They work well enough to repel the attacker and escape, which is the goal. A 100,000 volt stun gun may not necessarily take an attacker down and leave him immobilized. The higher powered stun guns (300,000 volts and higher) have more effective take-down power. A direct contact of 3-5 seconds can immobilize an attacker for 5-15 minutes without causing any permanent harm.
WOULDN'T IT BE MORE PRUDENT TO JUST CARRY A HANDGUN?
In some rare situations, yes it would be. However, there is only one state in the nation that allows citizens to carry a concealed firearm and that is Vermont. Others require applying for a concealed carry permit from local authorities that usually require training as well. Some states say they issue concealed carry permits but only in rare instances. Some do not issue concealed carry permits at all. If you are caught carrying a firearm without a permit, the legal consequences can be severe including fines, incarceration and a ban on owning firearms, possibly for life, in some states.
BUT IF A FIREARM IS A SURE-FIRE SELF-DEFENSE DEVICE THAT MAY FIGHT OFF AN ASSAILANT, WHY DO I NEED ANYTHING OTHER THAN A PERMIT FOR MY HANDGUN?
Indeed, simply flashing a firearm can break off an attack. But that can be a problem as well. Concealed carry permit holders are well aware of the consequences of their actions. Using a firearm for self-defense on an unarmed assailant can bring very severe legal consequences. One of the most important elements of concealed carry training is understanding that when a victim pulls the firearm, they must be prepared to take the ultimate step. The key is to know when and under what circumstances a firearm should be pulled from concealment. Pulling a firearm on an unarmed assailant may not necessarily cause the assailant to break off the attack. This is particularly so if the assailant perceives that can physically overpower the victim. At that point the victim may face a physical confrontation and fight over the firearm itself. This is not a good situation . The vast majority of assaults do not warrant the use of a firearm because the assailant is generally unarmed. This is where non-lethal protection is most critical. Police officers carry pepper spray and/or stun devices knowing that in a significant number of situations they encounter, the use of a firearm is not necessary. With a firearm, it's generally all or nothing. A non-lethal alternative offers an interim step that can save an enormous amount of legal problems.
