| I am one of those women who envision a hand gun | | | | disable the weapon. This could be a major feature |
| as a man's weapon; I hold a respectable fear of hand | | | | should the attacker grab the stun gun as it would not |
| guns and have no desire to overcome that fear or | | | | be able to be used against the victim. Others |
| have a hand gun in my possession. Yet I do care | | | | combine alarms and flashlights with the stun feature |
| about my welfare and in this age of rising crime, I | | | | for multi-uses. Still others can be worn pager style |
| have found the perfect "fit" for me. I'm sure that | | | | with a belt loop holster for easy access. |
| many of you who read this article may find the | | | | Whatever you choose, make sure you are properly |
| answer to your personal security needs as well. | | | | instructed in the use of your weapon. Whatever the |
| My answer is the stun gun as it has many desirable | | | | model, make sure that when you use it, that no |
| characteristics. For one, stun guns are small and many | | | | body contact by you is made with the gun any |
| can fit in the palm of one's hand. They can be made | | | | closer to the probes than the switch and safety |
| to look like a cell phone or small flashlight so an | | | | plate. When you press the switch, the stun gun fires |
| attacker is taken by surprise. Stun guns are easy to | | | | across the unit between two probes and continue as |
| use and can be kept in close proximity due to their | | | | long as you hold the switch on. When making contact |
| portability. They even come in fashionably colored | | | | with your attacker, the best points to aim for are |
| holsters-especially pink! | | | | the upper hip, below the rib cage, or upper shoulders |
| While they are not lethal weapons like a hand gun, | | | | as these areas all are rich in nerve centers, but any |
| they can stop an attacker in their tracks sending | | | | point of the body is ok if you are in the midst of an |
| voltages ranging from 200,000 to 1,000,000 volts | | | | attack. |
| depending on the size and model. They work by | | | | The following are some additional tips which may be |
| depleting the attacker's blood sugar by converting it | | | | useful when owning a stun gun. Making sure your |
| to lactic acid. When this happens, the attacker is | | | | stun gun is on when leaving a safe environment, |
| unable to produce energy for his muscles to function | | | | ensures you are ready if danger does come your |
| and move properly. While the effects may only last | | | | way. Also, keep extra batteries for your stun gun on |
| minutes, this should offer the victim plenty of time to | | | | hand and make sure you keep these batteries |
| get away to safety and call 911. | | | | charged. There are some states and cities in which |
| A variety of models offer even more choices. Some | | | | stun guns are illegal-make sure you check for the |
| models like the small "Stun Master Multifunction" | | | | laws of your particular state and city before |
| model and the "Pretender Cell Phone Stun Gun" have | | | | obtaining. Finally, remember-you may fear hand guns |
| pins or wrist straps that can be disconnected to | | | | but you can still feel safe and secure! |