I have compiled this guide on stun guns to hopefully inform people that are interested in choosing a stun gun for self defense purposes.  This information address the basic questions I have been asked through out my years of selling stun guns.  If you have any other questions that are not answered in this guide, please let me know and I'll be happy to try and answer it for you.

NEVER TEST AND OR DISCHARGE A STUN GUN INTO THE AIR FOR MORE THAN 1 SECOND.  DOING SO CAN HARM THE STUN GUN AND VOID ANY WARRANTY THE STUN GUN MIGHT HAVE.

ALWAYS KEEP STUN GUNS AWAY FROM CHILDREN.

NEVER USE STUN GUNS IN ROOMS WITH FLAMABLE GASES, AROUND GAS STATIONS OR ANYWHERE ELSE SPARKS CAN TRIGGER FIRES OR EXPLOSIONS.

NEVER TOUCH THE PROBES WHEN FIRING THE STUN GUN.

What is the difference between a taser gun and a stun gun?

     People often do mistake one for the other.  Without going into too much detail, taser guns look quite a bit like real guns that shho out two darts, about a distance of 15 feet, attach to the person so that the charge is going from the gun directly through the wires to the darts attached to the person.  When the trigger on the taser gun is pulled, the current is released into the person.  Laws regarding taser guns can vary from that of stun guns and are considerably more expensive too.  Taser guns are restricted to sell on eBay.

How do stun guns work?

     Stun guns use high voltage and low amperage to temporarily disable an attacker for several minutes.  The stun gun does not rely on pain for results.  The energy stored in the stun gun is dumped into the attacker's muscles causing them to do a great deal of work rapidly.  This rapid work cycle instantly depletes the attarker's blood sugar by converting it into lactic acid.  In short, the attacker is unable to produce energy from their muscles and their body is unable to function properly.  The stun gun also interrupts the tiny neurological impulses that control and direct voluntary muscle movement.  When the attacker's neuromuscular system is overwhelmed and controlled by the stun gun, they lose their balance.  Should the attacker be touching you, the current will not pass to your body.

Which stun gun is right for me?

     This is a personal decision that only you can answer based upon your needs and lifestyle.  The most inportant things to consider ar the how, where and when you plan to carry the stun gun.  Any stun gun you choose should come with a carying case and or a belt clip.  This will help to prevent accidental discharges.  You should never carry a stun gun "loose" unless it is in your hands.  If you plan on carrying the stun gun is a purse or a pocket, size and weight of the stun gun should be a consideration but above all, accessibility of your stun gun is most important.  Stun guns are of no use to you if you cannot get to it when you need it.

Tip:  Practice taking your stun gun out and preparing for various different attacks so it becomes almost second nature for when you need it.

Tip:  Always carry a flashlight at night!  It is your best deterrent at night and it also shows people that you were at least prepared for that. 

     Will you be carrying your stun gun at work, home, travel or every where and all the time?  This too will effect which stun gun is appropriate for you.  If you do plan on traveling with your stun gun, make sure that it is legal to carry in those areas.

     All stun guns have various safety featues that you will want to consider.  All stun guns have a basic safety featue to help prevent accidental discharge of the unit.  Most have an on/off switch and a button to push to activate the stun gun, while others only have a toggle switch to discharge the stun gun.  Other safety featues available include:

• Safety pins, also called disable pins that have to be inserted into the stun gun in order for it to operate.  These are usually attached to a hand or wrist strap and are meant to disable the stun gun if the attacker takes it away from you so it won't be used against you.  Some safety pins are attached to the stun gun while others are not. 
• Safety caps are seperate caps that cover the top of the stun gun.
• Power lights that turn on when the stun gun is powered on.
• Built-in flashlights for carrying the stun gun at night.  There is usually a seperate button on the stun gun that activates it.  Please note that if you use this feature often, you will need to recharge/replace batteries more often.
• Built-in alarms that are meant to scare the attacker away before they can even get close to you.

Tip:  Whistles are a great way to get others attention in an emergency.  Remember, nothing beats a scream/cry for help.

What voltage of stun gun is right for me?

     Stun guns range in voltage from 65,000 volts up to 1,800,000 volts.  All stun guns, regardless of their voltage, do the same thing but generally speaking, the higher the quicker the job gets done.  Also, the higher the voltage, the louder and more intimidating the stun gun is when it is fired.

Which is better, rechargeable or non-rechargeable?

     This is simply a matter of preference.  Some people love rechargeable batteries, some people don't trust them.  If you do choose a rechargeable stun gun, it is important to note that there are different types of rechargeable batteries.  The two most common types of rechargeable batteries used in stun guns these days are the Nickel Cadium, NiCd, and the Nickel Metal Hydride, NiMh.  The NiMh battery offers a capacity that is almost twice that of the NiCd.  The NiMh batteries are also less porne to develop a memory effect, which is the loss of run timer per charge over thelife of the battery.  The NiMh batteries do not contain heavy metals, making them environmentally friendlier than the NiCd.  It is important to follow the user instructions included with your stun gun regarding the charging cycle of the rechargable battery in order to get the longest life out of it.  If you are using a stun gun with non-rechargeable batteries, replace them every six months or sooner if you have actually had to use it.  It is important to use name brand, high quality batteries.  Always test your stun gun at least once a week, but never for more than one second at a time.

Does my stun gun come with a warranty?

     Most stun guns have some type of warranty, usually ranging from one year to lifetime.  It has been my experience that if a stun gun is going to go bad, it will be bad right out of the box or right after the first time that it is fully charged.  Rarely have I seen a stun gun come back after a couple of months of use.  Because of this, it is important to for your stun gun to have some sort of warranty, the longer the better, so always know before you buy the type of warranty the stun gun has.

How do I use a stun gun?

     With stun guns, you have to be touching the person in order for them to be effective.  Stun guns will penetrate through clothing.  The best places to strike an assailant is the upper shoulder, lower ribcage and upper hip.

Are stun guns legal where I live?

     Stun gun laws change from year to year and it is ultimately up to you to make sure that they are legal where you live and plan to carry them.  Most sellers do list where they can and where they cannot sell/ship stun guns to.  It is against eBay policy to sell/ship stun guns outside of the United States and to areas where stun guns are restricted.