Stun Guns and Tasers – What Are They and How Do They Work?

Stun guns deliver an electric shock when two metal prongs on the end touch a target. The jolt is painful and can incapacitate the attacker.

Stun guns produce a low amount of electricity, about three milliamps. However, that electricity is enough to disrupt the communication between the brain and muscles of your attacker.

The History

Stun guns and Tasers have become a staple in self-defense arsenals worldwide, thanks to their ability to temporarily incapacitate a suspect without killing them. Millions of civilians, soldiers and law enforcement personnel carry them as part of their personal safety or in the case of police, as a weapon to gain control over a suspect who might otherwise be difficult to subdue.

A stun gun delivers an electric shock on direct contact, with electricity passing between two metal prongs at the end of the weapon. The shock is painful but does not cause permanent incapacitation, as does a TASER conducted electrical weapon (CEW).

Early stun guns worked with an electrostatic generator that was powered by a battery. Until the 1980s, stun guns were primarily used by law enforcement. Several different kinds of devices were developed to make them more effective. One of the most important was the Leyden jar, which is made from foils that store electricity when an external source is applied to the exposed end of the jar.

The Power

Stun guns are powerful devices that deliver a short, electric pulse of electricity to the body. This energy causes pain, muscle contraction and incapacitation.

Stun gun effectiveness depends on the amount of current a stun gun delivers, which is measured in micro-coulombs (uC). It also depends on the voltage the device delivers for the duration of the discharge.

Generally, the more power a stun gun has, the better it is at inflicting pain and causing incapacitation. This factor, volts times current over time, is called charge weight.

For effective use, a stun gun should be held directly against the attacker’s torso, neck, shoulder, underarm, groin or abdomen between the hip and ribs. This is where most people will get their best results.

The Safety

Stun guns work by sending electricity through metal prongs that contact your attacker’s body. This shock creates pain when you trigger the device and can stun or incapacitate your target for a few seconds.

The amount of current a stun gun delivers, the voltage it carries, and the duration of time it discharges are key factors in how effective the shock is. This is known as the “charge weight.”

Fortunately, stun guns are safer than firearms or other dangerous weapons that can kill you in self-defense. However, it’s important to understand the risk and learn how to properly use your stun gun.

Many states and localities regulate stun guns and Tasers as weapons, meaning they require permits to carry them. In addition, some jurisdictions have “red flag laws” that prohibit possession of any weapons–including stun guns and Tasers–when someone is deemed at risk of gun violence.

The Convenience

Stun guns work by creating a high-voltage, low-amperage electrical charge that is delivered through short electrodes. This causes pain, disabling the attacker and leaving them with enough time to escape if needed.

The electric current also causes the attacker’s muscles to contract and spasm, which makes them temporarily unable to move or control their body. This is an extremely effective way to incapacitate your attacker in a matter of seconds.

Unlike pepper spray, stun guns don’t require any aiming or shooting, so they are easier to carry and are much more affordable. Additionally, many are rechargeable and don’t require ammo or range fees like firearms do.