Should You Buy a TASER or PEPPER SPRAY GUN? (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to carry a Taser or pepper spray? ›

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

As to stun guns or tasers, California law allows you to purchase, possess, or carry them for lawful self-defense.

Your stun gun protects you from attacks at close range, meaning 0 to 3 feet away. If attacked, be certain you hit your target with your weapon before you press the button to begin the electric shock. You need to hold the stun gun against your attacker for about 3 to 5 seconds, depending on the voltage of the stun gun.

TASER: Price. It's easy to find reliable stun guns, like the Vipertek VTS-989, for less than $30, while most of TASER's consumer-grade models, like the TASER Pulse, cost $400 or more. TASERs are also more expensive to use—replacement cartridges cost about $20 to $23, depending on if you buy a 10-pack or a 2-pack.

Axon states something like anywhere from 85–90% of taser deployments are successful. Real agencies report successful rates around 55% on the high side, with some reporting even lower success rates. I've seen tasers fail multiple times under ideal circ*mstances.

Key Differences Between Stun Guns and TASERs®

The TASER® is designed to be fired from a distance; however, some models can also be used as drive-stun devices. Additionally, stun guns are compact devices designed to be held in the palm of your hand while the electrical current is shot through two metal prongs.

Why do tasers not work sometimes? ›

Experts said there are a variety of factors that can influence whether a Taser works as desired. Baggy clothing or sudden movement can rip the wires away. The drive-stun mode may not have the same effect on some people, particularly those who are under the influence of drugs or who are mentally ill.

Tasers are more effective at incapacitating a person over a shorter period of time, while pepper spray guns are more effective at incapacitating a person over a longer period of time and can be used from a greater distance.

The short answer is yes, stun guns work through most clothing, but keep in mind that while electric current will penetrate clothing in most cases, it depends on the thickness of the clothes of the attacker and a stun gun is most effective when in close contact with bare skin.

TASER X26P is Axon's most compact law enforcement single-cartridge energy weapon to date and is still available on the market today.

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.

Pepper spray is a chemical that is used to incapacitate or stop an attacker. It works by irritating the eyes and nose, which can cause difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness. The main advantage of using pepper spray is that it is relatively easy to use and can be effective in a variety of situations.

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.

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%.