When it comes to self-defense tools, there has always been a cloud of confusion surrounding stun guns vs. tasers.
Are they the same, or are they both different?
What features do they have?
What voltage do they run on?
What hurts more, a stun gun or a taser?
So on and so forth. That is why in this blog, we’re going to be breaking down some of the biggest differences between a stun gun vs. taser.
What is a Stun Gun?
When you hear of a stun gun, you might imagine a bulky gun that shoots out electric currents. However, that’s not quite right. Stun guns, in actuality, are smaller and can fit inside multiple day-to-day objects. But they still do shoot out highly-charged electric energy.
Since they’re handheld devices, they’re perfect for close-range self-defense. Moreover, when used on someone, a stun gun can cause the person’s muscles to spasm severely and can even temporarily incapacitate them.
Stun guns are generally cheaper than professional taser guns, but they hurt just as much. Not to mention, due to their compact size, you can easily conceal them in your bag and pockets or disguise them as a keychain.
What is a Taser?
Most people do not know this, but tasers started out as a brand name, much like ‘Hoover .’ It was marketed as TASER, an acronym for Thomas A. Swift’s Electric Rifle. The name was based on the creator’s favorite fictional character who had a penchant for inventing cool gadgets. Nonetheless, in terms of functionality, tasers work similarly to stun guns.
A taser is an electroshock weapon that has extendable prongs attached to it. When turned on, it can discharge the prongs up to 15 to 20 feet ahead. Most states prohibit using tasers as they can be extremely dangerous if they fall into the wrong hands. However, when it comes to self-defense at a distance, tasers do the job really well.
Stun Gun vs Taser: Difference
Now that you know what a stun gun and taser are, it’s time to dive into the factors that differentiate them.
Stun Gun vs Taser: Voltage
Typically, tasers emit around 50,000 volts of pure electricity. Stun guns, on the other hand, discharge only 1,200 volts. It might sound like a big difference, but depending on how they function and their operating ranges, the effect can increase tenfold.
Stun Gun vs Taser: Effectiveness
Where stun guns are easy to disguise and are small enough to fit anywhere, tasers are the exact opposite. Using a stun gun on someone as a surprise can affect them strongly. At most, though, their muscles will spasm, and they’ll be momentarily halted. Whereas tasers crackle with energy. They’re strong and contain a compressed gas cartridge that explodes when fired. Once it makes contact with a person’s skin or clothes, it can completely freeze off their nervous system.
Stun Gun vs Taser: Pain
Both self-defense tools are painful when used right. Nonetheless, a taser gun is bound to hurt a little more than a stun gun.
The Final Takeaway
In conclusion, the biggest difference between a stun gun and a taser gun is that they vary in pain levels, effectiveness, and the amount of voltage discharged. In most cases, stun guns are used by the general public, whereas for a taser, you need to undergo background checks and a character screening to have it issued out. For more information, contact WE Security at (713) 703-9385.