To be or not to be?
In New Mexico, the question is red or green? (referring to the chile)
In Chicago it's the Cubs or White Sox? Okay so maybe it doesn't rank up there with those lofty questions, but people ask me all the time which is better a stun gun or pepper spray. Here is a comparison of stun guns and pepper spray using criteria that most people would consider before making a purchase. COSTPepper Sprays are less expensive but require refills or replacement. Stun Guns need new batteries occasionally. Pepper Sprays can run from$12.95 - $29.95. Stun Guns from $22.00-$79.95. EASE OF USE---Both are equally easy to use. AIMING ---Pepper Spray requires some skill and can be effected by wind and rain. With Stun Guns aim is not an issue. CLOSENESS TO TARGET---Pepper Spray 6-18 feet; Stun Guns have to be right on the target. LEGAL LIMITATIONS---Pepper Spray is legal in all states but some cities and states have restrictions. Stun Guns are illegal in some states. Check your local police or sheriff's department for specifics. LASTING DAMAGE---Neither Pepper Spray nor Stun Guns have lasting damage to the assailant. SIZE---Lipstick size and larger for Pepper Spray. Stun Guns can be as small as a handheld blackberry and bigger. Both can be concealed in a purse. STOPPING POWER---Pepper Spray if on target-excellent. Stun Gun-very good. PERIOD OF IMMOBILIZATION---Pepper Spray will put someone out of action for 15-30 minutes. A Stun Gun will immobilize someone for 3-10 minutes. Both are long enough to get away and/or get help. INTIMIDATION FACTOR---Pepper Spray will not likely intimidate anyone. However a fully charging Stun Master creates quite a sight and sound-enough to scare some assailants away. DISGUISABILITY---Both Stun Guns and Pepper Sprays can be disguised as different objects easily. On the face of it, trying to be objective, I would lean to the pepper spray all things being equal. The problem is all things are not equal. If the attacker is more than 6-10 feet away one or two things can go wrong that could cost you. And remember we are talking about the lives of you, your children, your spouse-you don't want to leave this to chance. If the wind is blowing at more than 10-15 miles per hour, which really isn't much, it can cause the spray, mist or stream, to either go off target or worse blow back in your face. I am not sure which is worse. In any event it will not get you the desired result. You must have a hit right in the face preferably the eyes on the first or second shot. Can you hit that small a target from 10 feet away in the wind, in rain, under stress? Practice might be one way to instill some confidence in your ability. Hook a string to a paper plate and hang it from a tree branch and fire away. This will instill some confidence in your ability to effectively use pepper spray. There is so much at stake, potentially your life or those of your loved ones, why not have both? They are both very easy to carry and conceal. Both are effective. Start with the pepper spray and end with the stun gun. If you think crime can only happen to the other guy you are wrong. The "other guy" is thinking the same thing and YOU are that "other guy". There is a reason why they call it self defense. You have to protect yourself, your family, your home and business!! |
