Although stun guns are extremely useful and could potentially save your life, many people are scared to own a stun gun because of popular myths. That’s why we’re here to debunk the most common myths about stun guns. Hopefully after this article you will have a better understanding of stun guns and how they are more helpful than harmful!
As you can see, stun guns aren’t as bad as people make them out to be. In reality, stun guns are great self-defense items that could potentially save you from a dangerous person and situation.
#1 You Have to Make Contact with Bare Skin
One of the biggest misconceptions about stun guns is the idea that you have to make contact with bare skin to generate any kind of reaction. This is completely false. While a person might feel a stronger reaction from being shocked with a stun gun on their bare skin, a stun gun can easily shock someone through any article of clothing, even a heavy sweater.
It doesn’t matter what the target is wearing. All that matters is the stun gun makes direct contact with the attacker in one way or another. In other words, just make sure the prongs press into the target, and the target will feel an electric shock.
#2 Both Parties Will Feel a Shock
The second popular myth people often fall for is the idea that both parties will feel a shock if a stun gun is administered. There is no possibly of this happening. Just take a second and think about it logically. An electric current is only administered through a stun gun by traveling through the prongs, and the prongs are only located at the tippy top of the stun gun.
In fact, the prongs are usually so little and concealed that it requires someone to actively attempt to stun gun someone else for the prongs to work. Anyway, a target feels a shock only when the prongs are pressed into them. So, as long as you aren’t stupidly playing with your stun gun and pressing the prongs into your skin, then you won’t feel a shock.
#3 Symptoms are Severe
Stun gun symptoms are typically mild to moderate depending on the number of volts in the stun gun, the area where it was aimed, and the time duration the stun gun made contact with the target. Regardless of any of those elements, a stun gun will not cause intense pain or seizures like popular belief. This is because a stun gun is not equipped with enough voltage to cause intense pain or seizures.
But, don’t get me wrong. This doesn’t mean that a stun gun shock is painless. In fact, if you experience a stun gun shock, you should expect to experience disorientation, confusion, mild pain, discomfort, twitching, loss of muscle ability or even loss of balance.
#4 New Batteries are Needed Every Time You Use it
Stun guns either come with a rechargeable battery pack or require batteries. Regardless of the way a stun gun is powered, you don’t have to worry about repowering a stun gun after every use.
While it’s not required that you charge or change the batteries after every time you use your stun gun, you should charge your stun gun at least once a week. If you don’t have a rechargeable stun gun, aim to change its batteries at least once a month.
You should do this religiously. Even if you haven’t used your stun gun since you last recharged it or changed its batteries, you should still carry out the maintenance process because you never know what could’ve happened to the battery just by sitting for a month.
After all, sometimes chargers are faulty or batteries lose capacity and power. And let’s face it: the last thing you want is to have to use your stun gun in a situation only to find out that it doesn’t have any power because you neglected to maintain its power source for one month. Therefore, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
#5 You Can Use a Stun Gun Anywhere
There are not one set of laws and regulations that pertain to owning and using a stun gun in the United States. In other words, there are different laws and regulations pertaining to stun guns in every state, and in some specific cities and counties.
In order to figure out if it’s legal or illegal to own and use a stun gun in your area, simply check out your local government’s website or contact your local law enforcement. It’s better to check out your area’s laws and regulations prior to attempting to purchase a stun gun.
It’s also important to keep in mind that it’s illegal to own and use a stun gun in some areas when you’re traveling. If you are traveling to an area where it is illegal to own a stun gun, do not bring your stun gun with you because it will only be taken away and thrown out.
#6 Stun Guns are Lethal
Last but certainly not least, the biggest misconception about stun guns is the idea that they’re lethal.
Like previously stated, a stun gun shock does not generate severe symptoms. Of course, there are a decent amount of mild to moderate symptoms. But, stun guns are ultimately not made to purposely injure someone.
Instead, they are made to hinder an attacker’s attempts of attacking you, and therefore allowing you the necessary time needed to run away to safety and seek help.
That being said, a stun gun will not kill you. Of course, anything has the potential to cause serious harm or death. But, as long as you are maintaining your stun gun and using it properly, you don’t have to worry about anyone dying from your stun gun.
That being said, if you don’t already own a stun gun, you should check the laws and regulations in your area and purchase a stun gun if you’re able to. After all, you never know when it could come in handy.
