Legends about electric stun guns

Electric stun guns are a popular means of defence, freely available in many EU countries (but not all) without special permits. They are a contact defence device that electrocutes the attacker, causing muscle spasms or even unconsciousness. However, there are false legends about electric stun guns, which we will disprove in the following lines.

1. Taser and electric stun gun are the same thing

It is not true. The so-called TASER hits the attacker from a distance, thanks to the firing of electrodes with cables into a space of several meters. Such a means of defence is banned for civilians in most EU countries. The standard electric stun gun  is a contact defence. Thus, in order to produce electric paralysis, it is necessary to touch the attacker with this device for a few seconds.

2. A short hit with a stun gun renders the attacker instantly unconscious

A one to two second hit with an electric stun gun will certainly not cause the attacker to fall to the ground, or even unconsciousness. However, it may cause unpleasant pain and a brief muscle spasm, which may also allow you to escape from the attacker. A proper muscle cramp, putting the perpetrator down or rendering him/her unconscious for a short period of time, can be caused by an electric stun gun when it comes into contact with the attacker, usually for at least 5 seconds.

3. High voltage = high efficiency

When choosing an electric stun gun, don't just rely on the fact that readings of hundreds of thousands to millions of volts guarantee high efficiency. It is the current (A), not the voltage (V), that gives a stun gun its efficiency. When selecting an electric stun gun, be sure to also consider the proven brand (manufacturer) and the size and spacing of the electrodes. An example of a standard compact electric stun gun is the Phazer model and an example of a professional stun gun is the Power Max model.

4. An electric stun gun is a suitable means of defence against an attacking dog

As indicated above, the contact of the stun gun with the attacker should last about 5 seconds or more to be able to bring the attacker to his knees or to the ground. It is therefore difficult to see how you would manage to hit an aggressive rabid dog for that length of time. However, it is true that the frequency of the sound of a stun gun is unpleasant to the ears and there is a chance that the sound alone may scare the aggressive dog away. In general, however, defensive sprays are more recommended for dog defense, thanks to which you can hit an aggressive dog even from a distance of a few meters. The Scorpion 200 combines an electric stun gun with a tear spray in one device.