While attacks on people do occur on men, women are the most vulnerable as they are usually not as strong. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule, but overall, women are weaker than men when it comes to being attacked. Enrollment for self defense classes for women is on the rise because crime against a person is on the rise. With that increased figure comes an increase in the sale of personal defense devices such as mace, tasers and stun guns.
Stun guns are battery operated devices which can be held in the palm of your hand and can be used to convey an electrical shock when used against someone attacking you. These electronic gadgets are not gun sin a conventional sense as you do not load bullets or anything else other than batteries on occasion. Instead, a stun gun employs two contacts made from metal that have to be held against your attacker as your hand depresses a button to deliver the electrical charge.
Tasers are also battery operated devices that deliver a charge to the attacker in the hopes of temporarily detaining them so that you can get away. However, with tasers, they launch two barbs made from metal over a distance. They work well over just a few yards but any further, they are not effective. The metal barbs are attached to the electronic device by wires and are supposed to become attached to an attacker when aimed at them.
The effect of both stun guns and tasers are controversial to a point as they do not always subdue an attacker. They work by delivering an electrical charge that is supposed to interrupt the regular function of the neuromuscular system, causing loss of control in the muscles as well as pain and extreme fatigue. Unfortunately, prolonged contact with the stun gun and taser is needed to effectively work, especially on larger attackers who can work through the pain of the electrical shock delivered by the metal barbs or prongs.
Because tasers and stun guns are not 100% effective in an attack, they are not normally recommended for women as a reliable form of self defense. In fact, many reports have shown that the attacker can easily take over the situation and get possession of the electronic devices and use them against the women who own them. In other words, the very devices that are made to protect the women against an attacker can be used against them. Therefore, if a female plans to carry a stun gun or taser anyway, they need to be well-versed in its operation as well as self defense moves so that the device is not appropriated by force and used against them.
Of course, stun guns and tasers may be a moot point for some women as they are restricted in its use and ownership in some states across the country. Therefore, if these devices are still be considered as a potential self defense tool, ladies need to research the laws regarding ownership and use of them in their state. Plus, if they travel across state lines or even fly, they must be well-versed in the laws in the places they visit as well.
All in all, both self defense instructors and law enforcement agree that stun guns and tasers may be of use as a back-up but women should not solely rely on them to make a significant impact in subduing an attacker. Many tests show that you would have to have prolonged continuous contact in order for the stunning effect to be effective which means staying up close and personal with the attacker. And if the attacker is one of those individuals that are not particularly affected by the shock produced by the stun gun or taser (think high on drugs), you are in a world of trouble. While they may be great tools to have, women should not place their life on the line by depending on them. Depend on yourself and become well versed in self-defense moves rather than tools.
