Whether you’re walking through a parking lot at night, considering a self defense item to bring with you to college, or you awaken to a strange sound near your patio door, you’ll want a powerful self-defense tool on hand. But which self-defense weapons are right for you? Two popular and portable options are pepper spray and Tasers. Let’s take a look at how you can decide whether a canister of pepper spray or if a Taser is the best choice for your personal safety.
Distance from Attacker Using Taser and Pepper Sprays
One common concern for people seeking out new self-defense tools is how close they will have to get to their attacker to deploy an effective offense. The good news is that both pepper spray and a Taser gun can be used with a few feet of distance between you and another person.
When looking at the distance of an attacker, pepper spray is most effective when the assailant is:
- 3 - 8 FEET AWAY Using Pepper Spray
- 2 - 5 FEET AWAY Using a Taser
While both offer some distance, pepper spray can be wafted away by the wind to some extent, or back into your own face. In other words, you may want to get closer to be more effective. A Taser is as effective as your aim, so if you’re able to make contact with the torso, it doesn’t matter how close you are. If the distance is important to you, a Taser may be your best bet.
Lethal Force Potential of Taser vs. Pepper Spray
Pepper spray is an eye, nose, and throat irritant. It will temporarily blind your attacker but even with the strongest pepper spray, there is no risk of fatality. Tasers for women, while generally considered non-lethal self defense weapon, do carry a small risk of causing cardiac arrest. If using a non-lethal method of self-defense is a top priority for you, pepper spray is the right weapon for you.
Taser vs Pepper Spray Legality in Your State
Pepper spray is legal in all 50 states (though your state may regulate how large the canister can be and have age restrictions), while Tasers are not legal for use by civilians in Hawaii, New York, or Rhode Island. Some states allow Tasers but require a permit to own one. In addition, in some states where Tasers are allowed specific cities have outlawed them; for instance, you may own a Taser in Illinois but Chicago has banned them. You should research your state and city laws before making your choice because you don’t want to run afoul of local regulations and get in trouble for using a banned weapon. When in doubt, a small canister of pepper spray is the choice most likely to be perfectly legal.
Speed of Efficacy of Taser vs Pepper Spray
How quickly will each weapon deliver the desired effect? Both pepper spray and Tasers yield near-immediate results. Tasers will shock your attacker as soon as the prongs make contact with their body and pepper spray immediately gets to work irritating eyes and skin as soon as it hits the face. That being said, if you spray pepper spray from a distance, there may be a small delay of a few seconds before it reaches your intended target. Pepper spray may also inadvertently impact other people in the area. For immediate, targeted use of force, a Taser may be the superior choice.
When it comes to the pepper spray vs. Taser debate, there is no one correct answer! Use the weapon that you feel most comfortable deploying and that you can bring with you where you need it most. If you still have questions about finding a pepper spray gun or Taser for sale, contact The Home Security Superstore today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a taser weigh?
Tasers weigh between 0.5 lbs. to 2 lbs., depending on the model.
How does a taser work?
Tasers fire two hooked darts attached to wires into attackers when the trigger is pulled. Once attached, electricity passes from the taser to the target when the trigger is pressed. These electrical pulses interfere with the neuromuscular system causing disorientation and for the targets muscles to seize up and they become incapacitated. A taser can also work as a contact stun gun when cartridges are spent.
How much is a taser?
Taser prices range from around $400 to as much as $1,500 or more for professional models used by law enforcement. Regular non-shooting stun guns can cost as little as $9 or reach up to $80 depending on the size and power.
FAQs
While both offer some distance, pepper spray can be wafted away by the wind to some extent, or back into your own face. In other words, you may want to get closer to be more effective. A Taser is as effective as your aim, so if you're able to make contact with the torso, it doesn't matter how close you are.
Is it better to carry a Taser or pepper spray? ›
This means that pepper spray guns can be more effective in situations where the attacker needs to be incapacitated for a longer period of time. Both taser technology and pepper gun technology are effective non-lethal self-defense options, but they each have their own strengths and limitations.
What is better than pepper spray for self-defense? ›
Bear spray is formulated to have a longer range (Counter Assault Bear Spray can reach up to 40 feet) than pepper spray (designed to only reach about 10 feet). Most pepper sprays have a lower concentration of capsaicin, the active ingredient in both products, while Counter Assault has the maximum allowed at 2%.
What are the cons of tasers? ›
Tasers are a commonly used non-lethal tool by law enforcement to subdue aggressive or violent individuals. While generally considered less harmful than firearms, tasers can still cause temporary pain and muscle contractions. In some cases, there is the possibility of more significant injuries and even permanent damage.
Are tasers good for home defense? ›
A non-lethal, legal weapon is always a highly preferred choice for self-protection. Even if you're legally allowed to carry a lethal defense weapon, like a gun or a knife, you don't want to have to use it. So, carrying pepper spray, a stun gun, or a Taser are the best options for self-defense.
When not to use a Taser? ›
Careful consideration should be given in deploying the Taser on subjects who are in elevated positions or in other circ*mstances where a fall may cause substantial injury or death (i.e. subjects on roof tops, on stairs, or pregnant woman). 5. The Taser shall never be used punitively or for the purpose of coercion.
Will pepper spray stop an attacker? ›
Although there are generally no long-lasting effects of pepper spray, it can be effective in subduing an assailant so you can escape.
What pepper spray do police recommend? ›
SABRE contains both the inflammatory effects of red pepper and the irritating effects of CS tear gas. SABRE Red is also extremely effective because it uses the highest concentration of major capsaicinoids and is the number one pepper spray formulation used by police worldwide!
What is the best legal alternative to pepper spray? ›
NOYZIE is designed to incapacitate the attacker temporarily, allowing you to escape. It is non-lethal and intended to provide immediate protection without causing long-term harm.
Why not to use pepper spray? ›
Pepper spray causes irritation of the eyes, skin, and mucus membranes. Inhalation exposures can cause coughing, difficulty breathing, nasal and throat irritation, and a runny nose. Eye exposures can result in pain, redness, watery eyes, difficulty opening the eyes, and sensitivity to light.
An APM Reports investigation finds that officers in some big cities rated Tasers as unreliable up to 40 percent of the time, and in three large departments, newer models were less effective than older ones. In 258 cases over three years, a Taser failed to subdue someone who was then shot and killed by police.
Why are Tasers not effective? ›
So, the closer you deploy a TASER energy weapon to a subject, the less distance there will be between the probes. This means there is less muscle mass to stimulate, generally resulting in lower NMI. It is recommended that the probes be at least 12 inches apart to have the greatest potential for NMI.
Will a stun gun stop an attacker? ›
Stun Guns are highly effective self-defense tools for men and women that emit electrical currents which can cause a would-be attacker to feel pain. The charge can also disorient the assailant, allowing you a chance to escape to safety.
Is it better to carry mace or a TASER? ›
While both offer some distance, pepper spray can be wafted away by the wind to some extent, or back into your own face. In other words, you may want to get closer to be more effective. A Taser is as effective as your aim, so if you're able to make contact with the torso, it doesn't matter how close you are.
Is it legal to buy a TASER on Amazon? ›
Taser Guns and stun guns are not considered firearms. They can be legally owned by citizens in 45 states. California is one of those States. The Taser Pulse battery comes fully charge and will fire 50 times - 30 second per shot. The Taser pulse battery is a durable lithium power magazine which powers all Pulse devices.
Can I use a TASER to protect myself? ›
As to stun guns or tasers, California law allows you to purchase, possess, or carry them for lawful self-defense.
How effective are hand tasers? ›
The truth is: TASER energy weapons have been used to save more than 275,000 lives from death or serious bodily injury. TASER energy weapons have been used over 5 million times in the field, and in a study of 1,201 field cases of TASER energy weapon use, 99.75% resulted in no serious injury.
Can you defend yourself with a Taser? ›
As to stun guns or tasers, California law allows you to purchase, possess, or carry them for lawful self-defense.
Should I carry pepper spray or a gun? ›
If a person wanted to carry a weapon of some sort but not necessarily a firearm or anything else potentially lethal, pepper spray is far and away the best option regardless of gender. Man or woman, cop or civilian, pepper spray works if used correctly.
Should I use bear spray or Taser? ›
Taser is a registered trademark of its manufacturer, Taser International.) Bear experts instead urge people to use caution and common sense to avoid bear encounters, and if needed, to use bear spray as a non-lethal deterrent or firearms as a lethal deterrent.
