ARTICLE 1 - Personal Security
ARTICLE 2 - Home Security
ADDITIONAL ARTICLES - Benefits of defending yourself with a Pepper Spray & Advantages, disadvantages, and use of a Stun Gun.
(ARTICLE 1)
ADVANTAGES, DISADVANTAGES, AND OTHER CONSIDERATION OF VARIOUS PERSONAL SECURITY PRODUCTS.
PERSONAL SECURITY PRODUCTS - Pepper sprays, stun guns, personal alarms, firearms, knives and other hand held weapons.
PEPPER SPRAY - Replacement - People usually recommend that you change out your pepper spray every year or two. We have had canisters for four or five years, stored at room temperatures, that have still been potent. We recommend two things: Treat your pepper spray as a life saving tool and replace it every couple of years. Also, if you use your pepper spray use it all up, continue to spray the guy until the canister is empty and then replace it.
OC or Oleoresin Capsicum is a derivative of Hot Cayenne Peppers; it is not an irritant like tear gas but an inflammatory agent. When a person is sprayed with OC, two things happen instantly. First, the person’s eyes clamp shut, hard. Not only that, if they do manage to open them they still can't see well because the OC will immediately dilate the capillaries of the eyes. Second, an immediate fit of uncontrollable coughing doubles the person over and often sends them to their knees. The OC causes an instant inflammation of the breathing tube tissue, cutting off all but life support breathing. The condition is temporary but very debilitating. OC has the effect of putting up a brick wall between the assailant and the victim. Whoever is sprayed with it stops what they're doing, stops what they're thinking - period! The effects of OC depend on the concentration and availability of fresh, moving air and take about 20 to 30 minutes to wear off.
Size and Capacity
Sizes of OC sprays generally range from 1/2 ounce to 4 ounces, although some manufacturers are marketing even larger sizes for home, business, and auto defense. Small units work well as a key chain spray or clipped onto a pocket or purse flap. A medium-size 2 ounce unit works well in a purse or clipped onto a belt. The large 4 ounce size can also be carried in a purse or on a belt, but tends to be too bulky. The larger units are made primarily for law enforcement and professional security officers. (NOTE: Some law enforcement personnel call defense sprays ASR'S. This stands for Aerosol Subject Restraint. Police officers may occasionally use sprays for defensive purposes, but their primary function is to apprehend subjects, not to escape from them. Most of the time they use the sprays to subdue or restrain out-of-control subjects prior to arrest.) The size of a unit generally determines its capacity; how much of the compound can be sprayed for a particular length of time. Other capacity indicators are the number of shots per unit and how far the unit will shoot. This is where it gets pretty confusing. Two of these factors are fairly flexible: the range and the number of shots. As much as we would all like to keep an assailant as far away as possible, the truth is that most assaults take place at distances of less than 8 to 10 feet. The range of an OC spray only needs to be 6 to 8 feet in order to be effective. All things being equal most customers prefer a spray with a longer range. Keep in mind also that the greater the distance the unit is fired from, the more accurate the aim must be; something that can be difficult in times of stress. Stream sprays require a good aim and the stream be moved back and forth slightly to make sure the attacker's face is covered. The cone mist spray doesn't require precise aiming, although it too needs to be shot directly toward the head area for the greatest effect. A fogger doesn't need to be aimed at all. Just point and shoot in the general direction of the assailant. The dispersal of the fog will do the rest.
Advantages and Disadvantages
The biggest advantage of defense sprays is their ability to keep an assailant a safe distance from the intended victim while disabling him and stopping the attack. Most defense sprays have a range of 8 to 12 feet and will stop an attacker within seconds. Mist and fogger sprays make it possible to lay down a protective barrier which the assailant must pass through to get to the victim. These are also good for multiple assailant and home defense. Other advantages of sprays include small, convenient size, easy to carry, non-lethal, no permanent affects, easy to use, just point and shoot, no long-term or continuous training required, no psychological fear of hurting someone.
Possible disadvantages include user may be affected by spray, especially in wind, quality and effectiveness vary between brands, accidental discharge always possible, illegal in a few jurisdiction, illegal to take onto airlines or in luggage.
Overall the OC defense spray is the best non-lethal defense available. In fact, a good argument can be made that some OC sprays can actually stop an attacker more surely than a gun in some cases. And they're certainly better than a firearm from a legal standpoint. Their use is not considered deadly force and a permit is not usually required to carry them.
A good OC spray can also be better for residential defense than a firearm. For one thing, if a spray is mistakenly used against a resident or non-assailant there are no permanent consequences. Time and a simple apology usually makes things right. Also, a spray doesn't have the severe danger of a firearm if a curious child gets a hold of it.
STUN GUNS
Stun guns are electronic devices that disable an assailant with as much as 200,000 volts of pulsed electrical current. When used properly they are effective in putting a large man on the ground in seconds and disabling him for a half hour or more.
Stun guns are not actually guns. They don't shoot anything. The stun gun has two electrodes that protrude from the end of the device. These are pressed against the assailant and the trigger is pulled. This causes a high voltage, low amperage current to go from the electrodes through the assailant’s clothes into his body. The pulsed current causes muscles to work super fast, depleting them of needed blood sugars. The entire process takes only a few seconds and is very painful. Once the assailant is hit with the voltage the muscles refuse to work and he's disabled. This gives the victim time to escape and get help.
Many people have misconceptions about electricity in general and stun guns in particular. Stun guns will not permanently injure or kill anyone regardless of the voltage. Voltage ranges from fifty thousand to two hundred thousand volts. While the higher voltage models disable a person faster and are far more intimidating, they are not anymore likely to injure someone or cause an assailant to have a heart attack, even if they have a heart condition. Another question customers frequently ask is whether they can be shocked if the assailant is holding onto them when they use the stun gun. The answer is definitely no. The electrical charge coming from the stun gun is "used up" in the muscle tissue of the assailant and simply doesn't have enough power to come back out of his body and into the victim. The only time a user might be shocked is if the devise is soaking wet or the trigger is pulled accidentally.
Stun guns come in three basic styles. The "mini" stun gun is usually about four inches long and has a voltage range between fifty thousand and eighty thousand volts. The stopping power of these compact units is surprisingly good. Standard size guns are about six inches long, with voltages from fifty thousand to one hundred fifty thousand volts. These are definitely more effective than the smaller units, but are a bit larger and somewhat harder to carry. The third type of stun gun is the "baton" style. These are usually about 16 to 18 inches long and 2 inches in diameter. Their voltage range is one hundred twenty thousand to two hundred thousand volts. These units are not as easy to carry as the smaller units but give the user an extended reach advantage. They are made so that if an assailant grabs the baton he gets shocked. Baton stun guns are used primarily by law enforcement or security professionals. Other types of stun gun units are also being built into briefcases, jackets, and gloves.
As effective as stun guns are they have one distinct disadvantage. They must be touching the assailant to be effective. This means the victim must be close to the assailant. If the assailant has a weapon, a knife or club, the stun gun is of little value because the victim has come within range of the weapons in order for the stun gun to be effective.
Despite this disadvantage, however, several things should be considered. First, a customer might prefer to have a stun gun and should feel comfortable with using one. Second, the sound of a stun gun being discharged, particularly the higher voltage models, is very intimidating. The loud, rapid crackling sound is enough by itself to scare off some attackers. Few assailants are going to be brave enough or crazy enough to walk into one intentionally. Third, many physical assaults, particularly against women, frequently come from behind or the side and occur quickly. The victim doesn't have a chance to prepare a defense before the assailant is already extremely close. If the assailant has grabbed the victim, he's already close enough for the stun gun to be used. In this situation the stun gun is the ideal device, providing it's already in the victim's hand ready to use.
Another factor to consider is the physical capability of the user, Men and women who are in good shape and have the strength to force the stun gun against an attacker's body as they pull the trigger should be able to use it effectively. Individuals who aren't as strong or as capable of focused physical response might not be able to press it against the assailant, or might run the increased risk of having the stun gun taken away and used against them These individuals may be better off with a defense spray or personal alarm. Again, it depends mostly on what the customer wants and is comfortable with using.
PERSONAL ALARMS
Personal alarms are electronic or aerosol devices that emit extremely loud high pitched siren like sounds and are easy to carry and operate. They emit a siren-like sound in the 105 to 130 decibel range. Most medical opinion puts the pain and ear damage threshold at about 140 to 145 decibels. Listening to these alarms for more than a few seconds is extremely uncomfortable. Once the alarm is activated it usually can't be shut off except by re-inserting the pin or otherwise resetting it. Most electronic alarms are small and can easily be held in the hand or clipped onto a purse or belt. Some models come with strobe lights, flashlight, and/or a built-in OC pepper spray canister. The alarm startles and distracts an assailant and makes him fearful of attracting attention and the intervention the loud alarm will bring. The alarms loud sound makes the risk of continuing the attack just too risky for most street punks. They are excellent protective devices for individuals who are uncomfortable using anything like a defense spray or stun gun. They are strictly passive devises. When used in conjunction with a defense spray or stun gun the victim not only disables the assailant, but is able to get attention and help quickly. It's highly unlikely an assailant would pursue a person that sounds like a police car and has a spray or stun gun in their hand.
Personal alarms have some disadvantages. The most obvious is their inability to actually disable an assailant. Without that capability a determined assailant can continue the attack despite the alarm. Also, an assailant may attack or go after the alarm in an attempt to silence it, and in so doing injure the victim. Some alarms are easily smothered or muffled if the assailant places his hand over the unit. The point is that the victim armed only with a personal alarm really has no control over the situation. The assailant has final control. Another disadvantage of personal alarms is the similarity some of them have to car alarms. Some experts feel that in any situation, a personal alarm may simply be ignored because people are used to hearing car alarms go off.
Some electronic personal alarms can be used effectively as travel alarms for protecting hotel and motel doors, and the doors on motor homes and RV's.
FIREARMS
Firearms have long been considered effective defensive weapons. Most handguns in the United States are purchased for personal protection or home defense. Gun dealers in the United States are required to obtain a Federal Firearms License (FFL) from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. The ATF is a federal agency that oversees the sale of guns and ammunition and insures that federal firearms law is enforced. Obtaining an FFL is not difficult as long as you are a U.S. citizen and don't have a criminal record. A fee is required to get the license. Despite the deadly potential of guns, they're actually a poor option for personal protection for most people. Guns are unnecessary in most situations and their use in any situation can have serious consequences. Carrying a concealed gun is illegal in virtually all jurisdictions in this country without a special permit. Only special federal law enforcement agency permits; allow a person to carry a concealed weapon from one state to another. Some states allow permit holders to travel in any part of the state, while others restrict carry only to the jurisdiction that issued the permit. The laws vary widely from state to state. In some states obtaining a concealed weapons permit is fairly easy, while in others it's virtually impossible.
• The whole purpose of personal protection products is to distract and disable the attacker and escape to get help. The use of a gun in an assault could be considered "excessive force" unless the victim could prove a life-threatening situation caused the use of the firearm. Keep in mind that 80% of all assaults in this country are committed without a weapon of any kind. Using a gun on an unarmed person can get a victim in serious trouble. Even if they're not charged or found guilty of a crime they can find themselves on the losing end of a lawsuit.
• Most people don't know when to shoot and when not to shoot. Police officers go through intensive training in "shoot/no shoot" scenarios and even they sometimes get entangled in legal problems.
• Using a handgun may actually be less effective at stopping an attacker than a good OC defense spray. Choosing the correct firearm and caliber is difficult even among security experts and law enforcement professionals, as they don't agree which is best, particularly in the area of "stopping power." Assailants have been know to kill or seriously injure someone minutes, even hours after being shot with so-called "man stopper" ammunition.
• A handgun can be taken away from the intended victim and used against them. While this also true of other protective devices, the consequences are not as potentially deadly.
• The psychological effects and emotional trauma of shooting another person can be devastating. Even hardened police officers are sometimes affected, particularly if the other person is killed. Most people whose only objective is to protect them are not ready or able to handle the intense emotional aftermath of killing someone; and that's always a very real possibility when guns are used.
• Due to the serious and deadly nature of shooting someone, most people tend to hesitate before shooting. In many instances that hesitation can and is used against the victim. All self defense trainers stress that focused, swift action is essential for successful self defense during an assault.
• The presence of a gun almost always dramatically escalates the potential for serious injury or death. An assailant who did not plan to physically harm a victim may be forced into striking quickly and viciously when threatened with a gun. Once a gun is produced by the victim, its use is the only action left. A gun is an all or nothing device.
• Any time a firearm is used there is the possibility that an innocent person may be injured or killed. The person discharging the firearm, justified or not, is almost always held liable for the consequences of a shooting regardless of how "accidental" it might be. Again, no formal charges may be filed, but a civil suit can be just as damaging to a person's life.
• There is always the possibility a child or juvenile could get their hands on a firearm with tragic results.
Firearms have a legitimate, useful role in self protection and home defense; but only if a person is fully trained and completely understands the responsibility and consequences of using a gun for that purpose. Most people simply don't need that level of firepower, especially considering the effectiveness of modern self defense devices available. Nor do most people have the training or psychological toughness to use a gun for self protection properly. Many experts agree that when the average citizen arms themselves with a gun it is a tragic situation and resulting court case waiting to happen.
KNIVES AND OTHER HAND HELD WEAPONS
Knives and other hand held weapons such as clubs, saps, blackjacks, nun chucks, and brass knuckles share many of the same characteristics and disadvantages of firearms. They are not recommended for use as self defense or personal security devices. Like firearms they require intensive training and carry similar legal and psychological liability. In addition, hand held weapons have one additional overriding disadvantages the user must be close enough to the assailant to use them and that's too close! Few people, men or women, are prepared either psychologically or physically to get into a bloody, painful close-quarter hand-to-hand fight. Also, like guns, knives and other similar weapons tend to escalate the violence of an assault; with no guarantee the assailant will be disabled. A scenario in which the assailant pulls a gun after being threatened with a knife is a real possibility. And the "stopping power" of a knife or club is extremely limited. They are offensive, not defensive weapons. Look at it this way. Would you rather stop an attacker by stabbing or hitting him at close range, or put him on his knees with a good OC spray at 8 feet?
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(ARTICLE 2)
ADVANTAGES, DISADVANTAGES, AND OTHER CONSIDERATION OF VARIOUS HOME SECURITY PRODUCTS.
RESIDENTIAL PROTECTION PRODUCTS - Burglar alarms, lighting systems, door and window protection
BURGLAR ALARMS
Residential burglar alarms are gaining in popularity as the nation's crime rate increases. The most common type is "hard wired" or installed in a residence by a licensed dealer. These alarms are often tied in with a monitoring center that notifies the police when they're activated. Prices for installed alarms range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars for the average home. Alarm companies frequently offer substantial discounts on the installation and hardware of the system if the homeowner contracts for the monitoring service for a minimum number of years. Many of these alarms also have fire protection capabilities and can summon other emergency services at the touch of a button. Another type of alarm being purchased in greater and greater numbers is the "stand alone" or customer installed alarm. With this type of single unit or wireless system all the homeowner or apartment dweller has to do is place the main unit on a shelf or table and plug it in. A wireless system may also involve attaching various door, window, and motion sensors with a few simple tools. Some of these units also have monitoring and notification capabilities. They usually range in price from about $100.00 up to $500.00. Other distinct advantages of customer installed alarms are their portability. Once the customer buys it the only additional cost is for monitoring if that's an available option. The biggest advantage of these stand alone units is that they can be moved from residence to residence. This is an important point for young singles or married just starting out. Plus, permission from the property owner is not required. One minor disadvantage of some customer installed alarms is that they have no monitoring capabilities. All they do when activated is sound a loud local alarm to scare off the intruder and alert the neighbors. They don't automatically notify the police nor have any emergency response capabilities. There are, however, some models of customer installed alarms that do have monitoring options and/or notification capabilities. These units also tend to have the hefty price tag of dealer installed systems.
LIGHTING SYSTEMS
Lighting devices, like alarms, are either professionally installed or customer installed and are a good addition. The mere presence of lighted areas around a residence often prevents burglaries. This is particularly true of lights controlled by a motion detector or heat sensor. These units turn on when the sensor picks up movement or body heat. They are perfect for placement in backyard areas or above side garage doors and should be included in any complete home security system.
DOOR AND WINDOW PROTECTION
Door viewers - allow the occupant on the inside to see who's at the door. Most are so-called "peep whole" viewers due to the small size of the installation hole. These units usually have a "fish-eye" lens that provides a wide angle view of the outside. Also, the presence of real and/or dummy CCTV cameras around doors and windows often prevents burglaries.
Door chains and Stops - keep the door from being opened all the way or from being smashed in. Most standard door chains will not stop a determined intruder because either the door or the frame breaks apart on hard impact. For door hardware to work it must be securely mounted; screwed deep into the underlying door and house framing with long heavy screws. Some door stops are actually bars wedged between the door and the floor. All window locks - secure windows from being pried open from the outside. Most are built for contemporary sliding aluminum windows and frames. They lock the window in the fully closed position as well as a slightly open position for ventilation. Care must be taken that the lock can be opened or released quickly so the window can be used as a fire escape. As with door stops, the more permanent the installation the better they work.
AUTO PROTECTION PRODUCTS - Auto alarms, steering wheel locks, auto carjacking devices
AUTO ALARMS
The two basic types of auto alarms are the installed alarms and dashboard alarms. Most installed alarms are made to be installed by either the car owner or a specialty shop. They are hard wired into the vehicles wiring system and take their power from the vehicle's battery. Dashboard alarms are simply plugged into the cigarette lighter or have their own internal power such as one model that plugs into the cassette player.
Some installed alarms have sensors or switches on all the doors, the hood, and trunk lid. Others protect the vehicle by using a vibration sensor. Some alarms also sense any current flow in the car's electrical systems. Most alarms use a combination of these. Virtually all installed alarms have an external speaker siren that attracts attention when the alarm is activated.
Dashboard alarms don't have individual sensors. Instead they use a built-in vibration sensor to detect the slightest tampering with the vehicle. Some of these devices have built-in alarm speakers that emit a high-pitched squeal while a few rely on external speakers. Others not only have a built-in alarm but also notify the owner with a signal on a pager unit. Some units also shut off the car's engine, making it very difficult to steal.
STEERING WHEEL LOCKS
These devices are simple yet effective. They prevent auto theft by making the steering wheel impossible to turn more than a few degrees in any direction. Any car thief looking into the car realizes the folly in trying to steal the vehicle even before he breaks into it - so he doesn't try; he just picks another, unprotected, vehicle.
ANTI-CARJACKING DEVICES
These new electronic devices are designed to shut off the car's engine or ignition within a minute or two after it has been taken. One system even has a voice that starts announcing that the car is stolen over an external speaker. While it remains to be seen whether these devices will really work as intended, the market for them is sure to grow as the number of carjacking increase.
TRAVEL SECURITY PRODUCTS - Portable alarms, door stops and locks, emergency kits
PORTABLE ALARMS
Numerous travel alarms are available including battery-powered motion detectors, wedge-shaped door stop alarms, and door handle alarms. Most of these alarms use a standard 9-volt battery for power and features a loud electronic siren or squeal. While some are set much like a residential alarm when away from a hotel or motel room, most are designed to be used when the traveler is in the room.
DOOR STOPS AND LOCKS
Several types of door locks and stops are available for the traveler. Some are full-length bars that wedge between the door knob and the floor, while others slip between the door and the frame. The most convenient ones slip easily into luggage and do a reasonably good job of keeping the door secure while the traveler is in the room.
EMERGENCY KITS
These kits typically fit in the glove box or under a seat. Some are combination roadside emergency and first aid kits that include "HELP" signs, flares, etc. Others are geared more for hunters and hikers who spend time in wilderness areas. These compact survival kits usually have several days worth of food, some sort of signaling device, matches, a space blanket, etc Some kits even contain emergency radios.
MISCELLANEOUS SECURITY PRODUCTS - Diversion safes, body safes, counterfeit bill detectors, property alarms.
DIVERSION SAFES
These ordinary looking safes come in the form of pop cans, food products, household cleaners, etc. These ingenious hiding places work on the principle that a burglar isn't going to check all possible hiding places in a residence. These safes also come in the form of books, car batteries, and electrical outlets.
BODY SAFES
These are made to hide cash and documents on the body in unlikely places. Common safes are made to fit around the ankle, in a bra, under the shoulder, or around the waist as a money belt.
COUNTERFEIT BILL DETECTORS
These units come in both electronic and pen form and are excellent for travelers, retail store owners, flea market sellers, etc. Bogus money can be a big problem where large amounts of cash are changing hands. Tourist areas are especially vulnerable to counterfeiters as are flea markets and fairs.
PROPERTY ALARMS
These are small electronic movement or vibration detectors that attach to personal items such as briefcases, suitcases, golf bags, bicycles, skis; anything that can be carried off. Most are turned on and off by remote control.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO BECOME BETTER INFORMED ABOUT PERSONAL SECURITY PRODUCTS AND HOME SECURITY PRODUCTS. WE HOPE OUR INFORMATION HELPED YOU ANALYZE YOUR NEEDS AND FEEL MORE CONFIDENT WITH YOUR PLANS.
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Additional Articles - (Benefits of Defending Yourself with a Pepper Spray) & (Advantages, Disadvantages and Use of Stun Guns)
Benefits of Defending Yourself with a Pepper Spray
Pepper spray is an inflammatory agent which is used to inflame the eyes and cause breathing difficulties, which in turn can cause a person who is attacking you to be put into a position where they are unable to cause any damage to you or your property. When a person is sprayed their eyes will literally clamp shut meaning they cannot see at all. If the person is standing, they will immediately be brought to their knees in a coughing fit and will be left with the ability to breath only small amounts of air, enough so that it is uncomfortable, but not restricted so much that it is life threatening.
Although the effects of pepper spray depend on the strength of the spray, you can generally expect to disable your attacker for around 30 minutes, which should give you an adequate amount of time to contact the police and allow them to take things from there.
You can buy pepper sprays in a variety of sizes, ranging from 0.5 ounces to 4 ounces. A size of around 2 ounces will be an adequate amount to protect yourself from a single attacker and will also fit neatly on your belt or can be put in your purse. When deciding what size to buy, you should always keep in mind that buying a smaller size could mean that it is more accessible for when the time comes that you need to use it. A larger size is generally only needed by law enforcement or professional security personnel. Different products have different ranges and different requirements in terms of accuracy. Although you may wish to have a product that shoots the greatest distance it is usually the case that attacks occur in close proximity meaning that you do not need to have a large distance between yourself and the attacker in order to be able to defend yourself against them. There are generally 3 types of spray; each one requires different demands in terms of accuracy from the user. A steam pepper spray requires an accurate aim for the firer in order to yield optimum results, while the cone mist spray only needs to be shot roughly at the head area to achieve results. The fogger on the other hand is dispersed in such a way that only general directional accuracy is needed to ensure you subdue the attacker and you remain unharmed.
The main advantages of using a pepper spray include that it is an easy means by which to disable an attacker quickly and effectively. The fear and possible consequences of hurting someone are no longer there and you can successfully defeat a large number of attackers. They are also very easy to use, meaning that no training is needed and even if you were to miss them you still will deter them and create a wall between them and yourself allowing you to escape unharmed. The only true contender versus a pepper spray is a gun, and it is certainly much safer to use a pepper spray while also standing a better chance of stopping them than through a non fatal wound.
Advantages, Disadvantages and Use of Stun Guns
Stun guns have evolved over the past decade to become more effective, safer to use, and more discreet. It is now the case that a stun gun is capable of generating 200,000 volts and up, which is enough to floor a man and leave him disabled for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. The gun works through being pressed against the attackers body, before releasing an electronic charge that is high in voltage, and low in amps, meaning that it is effective at disabling the attacker while reducing the chance of causing damage. When an assailant comes in contact with the charge, they will go through a few seconds of excruciating pain, their muscles will spasm, their blood sugar level will become depleted, and the victim should have sufficient time to escape and contact emergency services.
In order to understand the advantages and disadvantages of stun guns, it is firstly necessary to gain an appreciation of how the device works – and the misconceptions that surround it. Stun guns will not cause long term damage to the attacker, even if they have a heart condition, because the high voltage is multiplied by a low current rendering the charge less deadly. Unlike an electrical chair, which has the purpose of killing a person, a stun gun is a product that is developed as a means of disabling, rather than causing damage to, the attacker. When compared to other personal safety equipment and apparatus, it is often considered to be one of the most attacker-friendly options, despite the abrupt and certain nature by which it will disable a person. Another common misconception surrounds whether or not the victim can get a shock through touching the attacker. The answer to this is no, with the reason being that the attackers body will absorb the charge.
An advantage of stun guns is that they now come in many shapes in forms, making them easier to use quickly and effectively. Many new shapes are more discreet and also more practical to carry. Various types of stun guns include the cell phone stun gun, the stun gun flashlight, the stun baton, the stun pen, the raptor stun gun, the small fry mini stun gun, the stun stick, the expandable baton and other variations such as the rechargeable stun gun. A stun gun can be particularly effective when a victim has already been grasped by the attacker and the stun gun is available for use. Stun guns also require less accuracy than other devices and are often enough of a threat to deter an attacker from actually attacking in many cases.
Although there are many advantages of using a stun gun as your personal security instrument of choice, there are also a few disadvantages that have to be considered. First, the victim will have to get close enough to the attacker in order to touch them with their weapon. In the instance where the attacker has a larger weapon, or gun, the stun gun could be rendered useless. The same applies when the attacker is discreet enough to approach from the back or side, although it should be noted that the victim could still be able to arm themselves provided their stun gun is easily accessible.
