Which is better stun gun or taser?
Stun Gun
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Taser
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Stun guns or tasers are used for self-defense. They are easier to conceal and easier to maneuver from place to place than guns. However, there are restrictions for use of any weapon that poses a threat to other people. So, it’s best to always check with your state and local laws regarding the use of any self-defense weapon.
In most states, both stun guns and tasers are legal to buy and use for self-defense. While some people use these two terms interchangeably, they are two different things. There are major differences between the two and each device is more functional and ideal for different situations.
Before we take a look at the key differences between a stun gun and a laser, let’s start by looking at what they are and how each one of them operates.
Which is Better Stun Gun or Taser?
What is a Taser?
A taser is a device that uses electric shock to stop an attacker. It is designed like a traditional handgun with a barrel shape and a trigger. Unlike a handgun that shoots real bullets, a taser shoots electric probes when the trigger is pulled. Normally, the electric probes are attached to the taser with wires.
The probes are powerful enough to break through a person’s clothing and make contact with the skin. However, they are not as powerful as real bullets. Therefore, it’s less likely for them to cause severe injuries or even death.
Once contact with the body is made, the probes will deliver a notable amount of electric shock to the attacker.
Check out the Best Tasers
How Does a Taser Work?
A taser works by shooting electric probes. When the electric probes come into direct contact with the attacker’s body, the electric shock will directly affect the attacker’s muscles and make them not function normally.
Moreover, these strobes are powerful enough to inflict serious pain on the attacker and cause them to retreat.
You can shoot a taser device at a distance of up to 15 feet and inflict serious pain that will make the attacker withdraw. You can also shoot it at closer proximities.
Advantages of a Taser
- You don’t have to get closer to the attacker
- Less than lethal. A taser will protect you from an attacker but reduce the risk of inflicting severe damage
Disadvantages of a Taser
- You have to aim accurately to hit the target
- More expensive than stun guns
- Larger in size and bulkier than stun guns
What is a Stun Gun?
A stun gun like a taser is a self-defense tool that uses electric shock to stop an attacker. The stun gun is made with several prongs which deliver the electric shock. The electricity will subdue the attacker and help you protect yourself in a self-defense situation.
Check out the Best Stun Guns
How Does a Stun Gun Work?
For a stun gun to work, it must come into physical contact with the person you want to use it on. Unlike the taser, you don’t have to pull a trigger for a stun gun to work. All you have to do is make sure that the prongs touch the attacker after which they deliver the electric shock.
The electric shock will either knock out the attacker or incapacitate them for a short period of time by interrupting their neuromuscular system. Once the stun gun is in place, you can deliver as many cycles of electric shock on the target as possible until you are out of danger.
Advantages of Stun Guns
- Do not cause long-term damage to the attacker. A stun gun is developed to disable the attacker at that particular moment rather than kill them or inflict permanent damage
- More practical to carry. Stun guns come in different sizes and shapes for ease of carrying
- Less accuracy is needed. Unlike tasers where you must aim accurately, stun guns eliminate the additional complication of aiming
- Smaller in size and easier to conceal
- More affordable than taser devices
Disadvantages of Stun Guns
- You must get closer to the attacker in order to touch them with the stun gun. This could be dangerous especially if the attacker is stronger than you or they have larger weapons such as a gun.
Read Also: Can You Legally Buy a Stun Gun?
Differences between a Taser Device and a Stun Gun
Proximity
The primary difference between a taser device and a stun gun is the proximity at which they operate. With a taser device, you can fire the electric probes while you are 15 feet away from the attacker. You can also get a little bit closer if you want to maximize the effect of the electric probes.
On the other hand, you must make physical contact with the attacker when using a stun gun. Therefore, you must be in close proximity especially if your arm length isn’t that lengthy.
Neither of the two is necessarily better. It will largely depend on your individual preference. If you are using a stun gun, it could be dangerous since the attacker can overtake you and grab the stun gun or kick it off your hands. This is especially the case if they are more muscular and stronger. So, you will need to act swiftly to keep yourself out of danger.
On the other hand, a taser can in a way eliminate this risk since you will be firing it from a safer distance. However, a stun gun will take a bit longer to deliver the shock compared with a stun gun. You must pull the trigger to shoot the electric probes. In a self-defense situation, you will mostly be in panic mode. So, it might be even harder to pull the trigger as your hands could even be shaking.
Ease of Use
Despite being risky to use in close proximity, stun guns are simpler to hold and use for most people. All you have to do is to get it out of where you have put it and use it immediately to stop the attacker.
On the other hand, you have to pull the trigger and make sure that your aim is on point when using a taser device. Accurate aiming is vital when using a taser. You might only have a single chance to hit the attacker before they attack you. With stun guns, you are able to eliminate the extra complication of aim.
Size
When it comes to size, stun guns are more compact in size thus easier to conceal and lightweight. Taser devices on the other hand are large and bulkier. Most of them are about the size of a handgun which means that they are not that easy to carry or conceal.
With stun guns, you can easily choose your most ideal size as they come in different sizes. You can either opt to go for a larger one if you have ample storage or you can choose a small one that fits inside a purse or small bag.
Legality
The legality of both tasers and stun guns varies from one state to the other. Both devices are defined as weapons for self-defense so make sure that you check with your local and state laws before you buy one.
Stun guns are not legal for civilian use in Michigan, Hawaii, and Rhode Island. Additionally, some cities don’t allow civilians to use tasers either, such as Chicago.
Price
The cost of tasers and stun guns varies depending on the quality and the brand. However, tasers are generally more expensive than stun guns. But with so many products to choose from, it is much easier to find a device that will suit both your self-defense needs and budget needs.
Stun Guns and Tasers Similarities
- Both tasers and stun guns use electric shock to subdue and stop the attacker.
- With both, the carrier of the electric shock must come into contact with the person you want to use it on.
- Both will help keep you safe in a self-defense situation and not put the lives of others in danger. If you use a gun as your self-defense tool, it is more likely for a person to be killed in a homicide than those who use a taser or stun gun as their personal protection device.
- Both are legal for civilian use in most states and illegal in a few selected states.
Stun Gun & Taser Laws and Restrictions
States where Stun guns or Tasers are Legal with no Major Restrictions
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wyoming
Background Checks Required
- Illinois
- Maryland
- Minnesota
Permits Required
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
- New Mexico
- West Virginia
- Puerto Rico
- Wisconsin
Illegal
- Hawaii
- Rhode Island
Final Thoughts
We do hope that you have found this ”Which is Better Stun Gun or Taser?” article enlightening. These two devices work similarly by delivering electric shock on the attacker. But each device has its advantages and disadvantages. Choose the device that you feel most comfortable with and make sure that it is legal for use in your state.