Hartford County Close To Legalizing Stun Guns and TASERs

Big doings in Hartford County, one of only a few districts in Maryland that continue to ban stun guns in a state where ownership is legal. The matter has been taken up by the Hartford City council. Councilman Jim McMahan is sponsoring the bill.

The original 1985 bill that made stun guns illegal was initiated by a city of Baltimore councilman who sought to enforce a the ban in the city and surrounding jurisdictions. It was an attempt to ban people from bringing in stun guns to Baltimore city. That statute is being attacked as a violation of the second amendment.

In 2009, the state of Maryland passed a bill legalizing the adult possession of stun guns and TASERs. The new bill would allow residents in Hartford County to own and use stun guns as a means of self-protection.  

Todd Fisher, of Forest Hill, was alone in seeking new legislation to overturn the 1985 ban.

"While Maryland politicians continue to pretend this is not so, the right to self-defense does exist in our once-free state," he said. "Maryland continues to withhold this right to bear arms as if it were a mere privilege to be granted by the state."

Jim McMahan says that the 1985 bill has only put more restrictions on good people. With the legalization, "homeowners will also be able to get personal devices to protect against home invasions and assaults."

If the bill passes, that would leave only Baltimore County, Baltimore and Annapolis banning the devices. McMahan told Councilwoman Mary Ann Lisanti that no one in Hartford has been arrested in recent years for having a stun gun.

Read more: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/harford/belair/ph-ag-county-council-0319-20140318,0,7514566.story#ixzz2yaMzQMYd

How to Operate a Stun Gun

Stun gun technology has evolved through time. Today’s devices are generally smaller, sleeker and of a higher built quality than those from just a few years ago. But no matter which model you choose, it is up to you to properly operate the device. Without knowledge and steady practice, all would be lost in a tension filled encounter with an opponent determined to do you harm.

SM-Multi Stun Gun

Fortunately, operating a stun gun is not complicated no matter which model you choose. While models may differ in their switching layout, all serve the same functions. Here are the main controls followed by operating procedures in an encounter.

1.      By law, the main “on” switch must be separate to an “activate stun” button. So first and foremost, learn the location of these two controls. Most main “on” controls are of the sliding switch variety; slide from “off” to “on”.  This arms the device. The “activate stun” button or rocker switch is of the momentary switch type, press to activate, release to stop the stun.  Practice locating these two controls, first by site and later by feel alone. It may be dark in an actual encounter and these movements must be automatic. Yes, it’s OK to discharge the unit in the air for brief moments.

2.      Your unit may have a flashlight feature.  The control arrangements vary by model but usually a sliding switch goes from “stun” to “flashlight.” Practice this move also. A steady light shining in your opponent’s eyes can blind temporarily-- to your benefit.

3.      Stun devices (stun guns and batons) are powered by either replaceable batteries or rechargeable ones that charge inside the device. A good rule of thumb is a “top off” every 30-60 days. Read your manual because charging times vary by model. DO NOT leave the unit plugged into a wall outlet indefinitely. You can spot a weakening battery by briefly discharging the unit in mid-air and/or by turning on the flashlight and gauging the brightness.

4.      You’ll need to figure out how best to carry your stun gun. Most come with holsters but you may want to have on in your car or in your carry-all bag. If you are walking alone in a dark place, by all means turn the main switch ON. Then all you have to do is press the “activate” button in an encounter.  

5.      The stun gun must be touching your assailant to work. Your stun gun will penetrate through clothing up to 2 inches in thickness. When you have to use your stun gun, push the stun gun against any part of the assailant's body with the contacts on the assailant. For maximum effect, the best areas of the body to aim for are the shoulder, neck, torso or hips. Of course, if you are ever in a situation where you have to use your stun gun, you may or may not be able to direct it where you want. That is why any part of the body will still get the effects of your stun gun. Hold the stun gun on your assailant for as long as you need to bring him/her down. Don’t expect to hear the zapping sound when applied against the body. It IS working. 

For more details of stun gun operation go to www.stungunsupply.com 

In the Gun Control Debate, Why Not Non-lethal Weapons?

The media is roiling over the Sandy Hook shootings. The "guns rights second amendment" absolutists
are arguing with the "limit assault rifles and clips" folks and its been going on for at least a decade. How about trying this...

Instead of arming teachers and principals with deadly weapons, how about arming each of them with a Mace Pepper Gun right now? These gun shaped devices use replaceable pepper spray cartridges that can shoot hot pepper spray up to 25 feet. Each cartridge has about 7 sprays each.  Believe me, when a perpetrator is is hit with pepper spray, he cannot function for at least ten minutes, maybe longer. The more he rubs his eyes to clear them, the worse it gets. It's enough time for police to arrive.

In my imagination, I envision each assault rifle in the field being replaced with a TASER. No matter what the situation, no one would die in this type altercation. If an intruder enters your house armed with a TASER, and you got the drop on him with a TASER, you win. TASER are almost 100% effective which is why so many police officers use them.

How often have you heard of a non-lethal defense weapon like stun guns or pepper spray being used? This is a partial solution that should satisfy both sides.

Women Resort to Stun Guns in Beirut

Some women in Beirut are carrying stun guns and pepper spray to help protect themselves in this often dangerous city. So says an online article in the Lebanon Daily Star, "ZAP: Women resort to pepper spray, stun guns to face attackers."

Read more:
(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)

It's interesting to note that women in Beirut report the same advantages as women in the US. They feel safer carrying self protection just in case they would need it. For a video review of the stun gun in the article photo, view here

How Stun Guns Really Work

We’ve published a few articles on this theme, how stun guns work, in the past year or so. We recently came across an explanation on “How Stuff Works” which is remarkably detailed and fun to read. Check it out:

On th­e old "Star Trek" series, Captain Kirk and his crew never left the ship without their trusty phasers. One of the cooles­t things about these weapons was the "stun" setting. Unless things were completely out of control (as they frequently were), the Enterprise crew always stunned their adversaries, rendering them temporarily unconscious, rather than killing them.

We're still a ways off from this futuristic weaponry, but millions of police officers, soldiers and ordinary citizens do carry real-life stun weapons to protect against personal attacks. Like the fictional phasers of "Star Trek," these devices are designed to temporarily incapacitate a person without doing any long-term damage.

In this article, we'll find out how stun guns and Taser guns pull off this remarkable feat. While these weapons are by no means infallible, they can save lives in certain situations.

...To read more from HowStuffWorks go here

This is perhaps the best written articles about the workings of stun guns and TASER that I’ve ever read.

FAQ about Stun guns,TASERS

FAQ questions about Stun Guns, Pepper Spray, TASER®

Q. I want a stun gun to feel safe but I don’t want to truly hurt anyone.. Can a stun gun maim or kill?

A. Stun guns are marketed just like any product. And the hot button is power, how many volts the unit puts out. When stun guns first appeared on the market, 20,000 volts was considered very powerful, enough to stop any perpetrator. Today we see voltages of compact stun guns surpassing 1 million volts. The real “power band” today is between 1 million and 5 million advertised volts.

Let’s bring some common sense to the issue. These devices are rarely powered by more than a 9 volt battery or two. But stun guns carry a very low amperage charge. High voltage and very low amperage, usually just a few milliamps, can jolt an individual; it can cause pain and weakness in the muscles. You need enough power to go through clothing and supply the jolt, but not enough to do lasting harm. You want to disable the attacker and then run away.

Q.  I want to take a stun device along on my walk with my dog. There are aggressive dogs running loose and it causes big problems. Can a stun gun help?

A.  Stun guns are designed for humans. Although no study I know has been done on animals, I can’t say for certain that a stunning device won’t help. It’s an observed fact that dogs do not like the bright crackling spark that stun guns emit. And it needs to be said that the early progenitor of the modern stun baton was the cattle prod. And electric fences keep cows and horses in the pasture where they belong. 

When someone gives me the above scenario, I usually recommend a stun baton rather than stun gun. These devices give you additional reach. They come with a holster and feel more substantial than a small stun gun.

Q. What’s the difference between a TASER and a stun gun?

A. This is a biggie. Even media commentators confuse the two. A stun gun is a hand held device with two prongs on the end. These prongs must be held against the person to have any effect. Now in certain circumstances, this is not a problem but an advantage. If you are suddenly attacked outside or in your home and the attacker is on you, you need a close proximity device. Jab a stun gun in the rigs, on the neck, on the hip or all three.

A TASER is quite a different device. It is also a hand held portable device, but when activated it shoots thin twin electric wires with a claw-like prod on each end. This brad attaches to the person’s clothing or skin. The device emits an electric charge for a predetermined interval. Voltages are in the 50,000 volts range with more amperage than an average stun gun.

When the cartridge is spent, it cannot be reused. TASER owners know to have extra cartridges on hand.

This unit can take down just about anyone like RIGHT NOW. The charge has been manipulated to rapidly defeat the muscles strength and pliability. Most of us have seen these at work because the media is attracted to these stories. It’s good video.

So a TASER is not a stun gun and visa-versa. Just to confuse the issue, TASERs can function as a stun gun when the cartridge is removed or spent. 

We'll get into Pepper Spray next time.

Streetwise SW400 Stun Gun - Product Close Up

Sometimes a product comes along that seems right for just about anyone. Such is the Streetwise SW400 stun gun. It's styled in the typical stun gun fashion. It is modestly sized. At just under five inches tall, it's easy to hold and operate. The voltage supplied is 400K, strong enough to do the job but not over the top.

The SW400 features three safety procedures. First the supplied wrist strap pin must be inserted into the body of the unit. With the strap around the wrist, an attacker cannot grab the gun away from the intended victim and use it on that person. Once the pin comes out, the stun gun becomes inoperable.

Second the unit must be turned on. This is accomplished by sliding the switch on the side of the case to the first position. Third, to fire the stun gun, the rocker switch must be pushed. This is easily accomplished because your forefinger falls right to the switch. These procedures show careful thinking by the designers. You want the stun gun to fire reliably in an emergency situation, but not otherwise.

As if that were enough, Streetwise obliterates the competition with still more features. When the on-off switch is pushed ot he second postion,, a loud chriping alarm sounds. The alarm alone may be able to scare away an intruder.

The Streetwise SW400 comes with a nylon case with belt loop. For a "quick draw" clip the stun gun on your waistband with the attached belt clip.

The unit comes with a lifetime warranty. You get a lot with this unit and we have an unbeatable price. Just go to the Streetwise SW200 page and upgrade to the SW400.

Product Review - Z-Force ST 300,000 Volt Stun Gun

The Z-Force ST, model ZF-ST, is a 300,000 volt stun gun styled in a ridged grip design with a slightly rounded edge profile. This is in contrast to the hard flat rectangular design of most stun guns. The black case measures 7" tall from bottom to the electrode tips, 1 3/4" wide and 1 1/4" deep. The unit operates on a 9 volt battery. Even though the instructions designate a 9 volt rechargeable nickel-cadmium battery, a name brand alkaline is also perfectly acceptable. We strongly recommend a 9 volt Energizer cell for optimum performance.

There are only two switches on the Korean made unit, an on-off safety switch on one side and a toggle style "fire" switch on the other. The slim design enables one handed operation of both controls. The safety switch avoids an unintended firing.

Activating the fire switch produces a visible charge across the two electrodes along with a noticeable sizzling sound. The instructions say that a short 1/4 second application will startle the attacker and cause minor muscle contractions. A moderate length blast of 1 to 4 seconds, it says, can cause an attacker to fall to the ground and result in some mental confusion. A full 5 seconds can immobilize an attacker and cause disorientation, loss of balance and can leave the perpetrator weak and dazed on the ground for some minutes. Suffice it to say that the longer the contact, the stronger the stun effect.

The instructions say that the unit will have an effect anywhere on the body but maximum effect is felt on the upper shoulders, below the rib cage and the upper hip. Stun guns cause a neurological loss of muscle control so an attacker cannot will himself to override the effect.

The ridged grip and slim design makes this a particularly easy unit to handle. Although it's made of hardened plastic, the case feels sturdy and up to the task. The stun gun comes with an attached black nylon wrist loop for security.

Stun guns are popular self defense items. Although very high in voltage, the amperage is quite low. So the units are categorized as non-lethal repellents and are effective in most situations. Assailants have been known to flee after just seeing and hearing the firing electrodes. Unlike pepper spray, stun guns require on person contact to work. On the positive side, the unit will be used when it must be used i.e., when an assailant is making an attack on your person.

The Z-Force ST stun gun is also available in a smaller 100,000 volt version. The ZF-ST 300,000 volt model carries a retail price of $35.00 although it can be found for less on the internet. Both carry a limited lifetime warranty.

Greers Ferry AK to Purchase Tasers for Police

The Heber Springs Sun Times in Arkansas reported that the police chief asked city council to provide Taser for its three full-time police officers and one reserve officer. Police Chief Ray Dearmon said it's a small price to pay for an officer's safety.

"The Taser is used as a last-ditch effort," Dearmon said. "I'd rather shoot you with a Taser than I would a gun."

Dearmon told the council that all officers would require certification to carry and use the Tasers. He also said that he would require each officer to be Tased before they can carry the weapon.

"If an officer is unsure of what exactly that piece of equipment will do, he won't use it properly," Dearmon said.

The chief told the council that there have been at least three times in recent memory when a Taser could have kept local officers from drawing their guns and shooting. He also said a Taser would have been handy during a recent situation in which a strung-out driver refused to exit his car.

"The guy was sprayed twice with pepper spray, and it had no effect on him," Dearmon said. "It took four officers to pull him out of the vehicle."

This is the latest in a nationwide move to equip police officers with the non-lethal device.

News Article Notes Rising Non-Lethal Weapons Purchases

A recent news story in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel documents the rising sales of stun guns and pepper spray. News writers Brian Haas and Maria Chercoles quote several sources as saying the popularity of these "less-lethal" defensive weapons is on the rise. The chief reason, they assert, is that citizens want self defense products against crime but are uncomfortable with lethal weapons where they may have to kill someone.

"They want something in the middle. A big part of our society is that way," said Jeff Dillard, president of National Law Enforcement Distributors in Davie. "There's not a day that goes by when we don't have four or five customers come in here discussing this."

After noting that both electric stun guns and pepper spray are legal in Florida, they then list the pros and cons of both.

Pepper Spray:

Pepper spray is inexpensive and comes in several forms including the popular "disguised" models that look like pens, lipstick or pagers. Dillard likes pepper spray because it incapacitates an attacker for up to an hour left untreated. Drawbacks include possible blow-back during high winds. Also, there have been reported cases of some individuals fighting through the pain and discomfort. This makes a case for buying the strongest available such as Wildfire 18% pepper spray.

Stun Guns:

Robert J. Leitner, chief operating officer of Tactical Products Group in Delray Beach prefers stun guns. "You only need a second or two to touch the assailant and it also has a powerful deterrent," Leitner said. "In our experience, criminals fear them more than pepper sprays." Limiations here are the on-person contact that is required. Plus the effects don't last as long as pepper spray.
But often a display of the arcing electrodes is enough to thwart an attack. Stun guns are also inexpensive with models starting at about $20. Cell phone stun guns are perhaps the most popular "disguised" models.

Tasers:

The newest "less-lethal" device, Tasers shoot two electrified wires with barbs on the end. They lodge on the perpetrators clothing or skin and fire automatically for 30 seconds. Shooting range is about 15 feet. Taser International spokesman Steve Tuttle says it has none of the disadvantages of stun guns or pepper spray. "I don't want to get one foot away from them and try to apply something to them directly," Tuttle said. "Place it on the ground, let it do the work for you and get to safety."

The authors end their article by warning that these weapons are not toys and must be used safely. If you purchase one, you should treat it as a firearm: realize that it is a weapon and make sure to keep it far from the reach of children. Dillard also warned against storing pepper spray inside a car. The Florida sun can weaken the seal and cause leakage.

Review of the Stun Master SM-FLEX Telescopic Stun Baton

The Stun Master Telescopic Stun Baton SM-FLEX is designed to repel attackers by the touch of the device on any part of the body. It's in a class of self-defense products known as non-lethal deterrents. The manufacturer claims it will transmit it's shock effect through 1/2 inch of clothing. It is rated at 800,000 volts which puts it at the upper echelon of power. These and all other stun devices rely upon high voltage to overcome the resistance of the human body and low amperage to keep the administration safe and the effects temporary.

The Stun Master Telescopic Stun Baton is a rechargeable unit that comes with a plug-in re-charger. It also includes an integrated flashlight and alarm as well as a holster with belt loop. The manufacturer recommends letting the device run down before re-charging. The unit carries a life-time warranty.

The stun baton closed is 12 3/4 inches long. The widest part is at the integrated light which is 2 3/4 inches across. The circumference of the shaft at its base is 5 inches. Fully extended, the baton measures 21.5 inches. The unit weighs just over one pound. The baton is black with two chrome side rails along the shaft. The expanded telescopic part is in three sections, each bit smaller so they nestle inside each other when collapsed. The handle is ridged for a positive grip.

The three controls on the baton are easily accessed when holding it. There is a rocker switch which arms and disarms the unit. By your index finger is a ridged oval switch which serves double duty. You press this to first expand the baton. It expands quickly with a decided snap. Then this switch will activate the stun effect as long as you hold it down. The third switch by your thumb turns on the flashlight in the first position. Push it further and the siren goes off. The flashlight is bright and the siren gives off a very piercing wail. For safety, there is a small plastic set piece lying in this switch canal. You must remove this to operate the switch.
You collapse the unit by pushing in on the shafts till it seats. It's all very well thought out. That's a good thing because you don't want to be hampered by a poor design when you have to react in a hurry under duress. Also noteworthy is the fact that the full length of the metal rails is electrified. If the attacker tries to grab the Telescopic Stun Baton from you, he will be shocked. The shock will not transfer to you if the attacker is touching you.

The included black vinyl holster is a thoughtful addition. The collapsed shaft end goes into the holster while a Velcro loop above fastens around the base of the handle. Because the unit is so light, a night watchman or security guard could wear this around a belt with no discomfort.

This is a handsome unit with impressive features. Expandable/collapsible stun batons have an advantage over hand held rectangular stun devices. With those you must be very close to your attacker to apply the charge. (Hand-helds are typically 4-6 inches tall.) With a maximum range of 21.5 inches and with an outstretched arm, you could repel your assailant from 3 to 4 feet from your body. That's a distinct tactical advantage.