Chances are you’re already conversant in stun guns. Those intimidating little black boxes that, with the flick of a switch, display viciously arcing electrical current between the shiny chrome electrodes on the front.
But what exactly is a stun gun and the way does it work?
A stun gun is classed as a contact-distance electroshock weapon, a tool that uses a brief duration high voltage but low amperage electrical discharge to inflict pain and potentially disrupt conscious muscular control within the goal.
And you’ve seen this stuff used before, even when it was only on TV: jab the bad guy with the business end switched on and, hopefully, they go down flopping like a fish out of water.
In an excellent world, that is strictly what’s going to occur, but practically speaking, that’s the perfect possible final result and somewhat unlikely.
But, there’s lots more you’ll wish to find out about stun guns so keep reading and I’ll let you know all about them.
Stun Guns are Not Tasers
To clear up one common misconception before we go any further, it’s best to know that stun guns usually are not tasers, and vice versa, despite the fact that these terms are used willy-nilly by the uninitiated to check with either category of device.
Without getting too far off on a tangent, tasers fire probes out of the front to a given distance, after which transmit the present through the trailing wires to the goal.
Stun guns, then again, only work at contact distance when pressed into the goal.
Big difference, and now you realize!
Stun Guns Inflict Pain and, Potentially, Muscular Disruption Using Electricity
The basis of a stun gun as a defensive device is they’ll inflict severe pain and, with a robust model and proper application, muscular disruption on the goal when the goal is touched by the activated device.
They achieved this with electricity, specifically with high voltage, low amperage electricity.
To do that, stun guns need an influence source, typically a big and energy-dense battery whether or not it’s rechargeable or disposable.
The current is activated and sent to the electrodes on the front of the device by an activation switch which could also be momentary or constant on depending on the make and model of the device.
Stun Guns Only Work at Contact Distance
Stun guns are close-range devices. They are very close-range devices.
We’re talking bad breath-distance, here! Unless the stun gun takes the shape of something with reach like a baton or club, they rarely extend very far past the user’s hand.
Accordingly, the user must literally have the ability to succeed in out and touch the assailant, and likewise the assailant will have the ability to succeed in out and touch them.
This lack of range is the chief shortcoming of the stun gun as an idea for a defensive implement.
Depending on the Model, a Stun Gun Has Only an Activation Button and Maybe a Safety
Stun guns are quite simple devices. Any given stun gun is barely going to consist of an influence pack, the electrodes, the casing holding every little thing together and the activation switch that may supply electricity to the electrodes completing the circuit.
Some devices may need a security switch or sliding cover that may prevent inadvertent activation with no deliberate input from the user.
And that’s really all there’s to them, whatever shape, size, form factor, and advertiser guarantees is likely to be made in regards to the effectiveness of the unit.
A number of models may need something like a built-in flashlight or a strobe for added utility or, supposedly, increased effectiveness but these are the exception and never the rule.
When Activated, Stun Guns Emit Highly Conspicuous Arcing
So, if you activate a stun gun, what happens? You’ll see and listen to what happens in the shape of electrical arcing on the front of the device between the electrodes.
This takes the shape of a blue-white or purplish arc of crackling electricity in its raw form.
You’ll definitely know that the ability is flowing within the functioning device when this display is visible, and so will everyone else in the world.
The Arc Means a Stun Gun Might Be a Good Visual or Audible Deterrent
One of the advertised and purported advantages of the stun gun is that crackling arc that you just, and the assailant, can see when the device is turned on.
It’s definitely intimidating, and everybody instinctively understands the hazards of electricity- especially electricity that you would be able to now see and listen to! With just a little little bit of luck, an assailant will perhaps think the higher of whatever nefarious deed they were about to commit and tuck tail.
It may also, hopefully, give the user a much-needed psychological boost in the event that they should go hands-on with a foul guy.
It ought to be noted that, despite the ferocious appearance, the present of a stun gun doesn’t work out or leap to the goal.
Again, stun guns are only contact distance defensive options.
Most Stun Guns Will Continuously Apply Current Until Switched Off
If the stun gun should be used against an attacker, so long as it’s switched on and so long as it has power it would proceed to shock the goal when it’s in touch with them.
Instantly, it will cause intense pain. After just a few seconds, the pain can be unbearable and, if the stun gun produces enough voltage, it would begin to cause localized muscular disruption.
This will take away voluntary control over the affected muscle groups from the goal, and may potentially deaden a limb temporarily or cause someone to crumple.
However, concerning stun guns these effects usually are not typical or reliable, and more often than not, stun guns work to discourage an attacker just by inflicting significant pain.
How Long Must a Stun Gun Be Applied to Guarantee Effectiveness?
For starters, there isn’t a such thing as a guarantee in a self-defense situation.
Practically speaking, it’s difficult to say because there is a big number of stun guns out available on the market with greatly differing advertised output by way of voltage and amperage.
Many cheaper stun guns flagrantly lie in regards to the actual effectiveness of the unit.
Broadly, you may expect an application of a stun gun for lower than a second to merely inflict substantial pain.
If you’re in a position to hold the electrodes on the identical a part of the body for 2 to a few seconds, and if you’ve a robust high-quality stun gun, you may expect it to start out disrupting the muscles and the local nervous system.
What is the Best Place to Target with a Stun Gun?
Because stun guns typically get results by the infliction of pain, targeting more sensitive parts of the body typically signifies that the assailant will feel more pain and, hopefully, resolve to present up.
For this reason, it’s best to goal your stun gun to sensitive areas of the body just like the deltoid, the upper shoulder on the back, the neck, and directly below or at the underside of the rib cage on any side of the torso.
Can a Stun Gun User Be Shocked if the Target Grabs Them?
No, not generally. Because the stun gun principally desires to pass the present between the 2 electrodes on the front (electricity likes to take the trail of least resistance) you won’t be shocked by your personal stun gun for those who jab an attacker with it that’s grabbing you or holding on to you in another way.
Of course, there are exceptions and it is feasible you possibly can be shocked for those who as an example shock the hand of the attacker that’s grabbing your other arm.
Assuming you’re jabbing them within the torso, you won’t be shocked.
Can Stun Guns Kill?
Yes, they’ll. Although they’re highly unlikely to, stun guns are properly classified as less-lethal weapons, not as less-than-lethal weapons or non-lethal weapons as is usually reported.
Although the voltages are very high, stun guns are designed with low amperage meaning they’re highly unlikely to inflict any everlasting injury or cause significant disruption of the nervous system that might say affect the guts or respiration of the goal.
On the opposite hand, stress, unintended injury, pre-existing conditions, intoxication and other aspects can contribute to a fatal final result for somebody that gets jabbed with a stun gun.
Nonetheless, all the time do not forget that stun guns aren’t toys, and using one in self-defense remains to be a big use of force situation that you’ll should account for legally and ethically!
Never, ever use your stun gun on someone or threaten someone with one unless you’re in legitimate fear of injury, great bodily harm, or death.
Could a Stun Gun Set Someone on Fire?
Yes! If someone is soaked in a flammable liquid, something like gasoline, alcohol, or the rest the high-intensity electrical discharge created by a stun gun will readily serve because the source of ignition.
This is something to consider not just for your personal defense in the case of articulating why you made the choice to make use of force, but additionally so that you just don’t perhaps go up in flames with them in the event that they are already too close.
