Tasars

[Punchy]

I keep hearing about these electric self defence devices becoming very popular with civilians and unfortunately with muggers. Does anyone have any experience with them? In particular:-

1. Are they practical?

2. How would you defend against a mugger armed with one?

Thank you.

[TwIsT]

Taisers, yeah they would be practical, but illegal here where i am.

Running would be a good way to defend yourself.

[Melanie]

I think this is a fascinating topic!

In direct answer to question Punchy. To the best of my knowledge (which isn't extensive!) if I had a Taser in my possession I would be arrested for being armed with intent - or something along those lines - only the Police in certains areas of the country and certain branches of it are allowed it at the moment (Fire Arms Trained).

If I saw a mugger with one? Easy, if all they intend to do is mug me - give them me loot no problem. Or alternatively, move when they fire it.... Once its fired they can't fire it again, the wires need to be reloaded so its not really a problem as long as they miss me of course!

Now, this is where I go off at a tangent slightly :D Tasers and the Police...

I only see one problem with Tasers - it helps if you keep still! The liability for putting a Taser into the wrong part of the anatomy isn't worth thinking about and if someone is keeping that still in the first place - who needs a Taser?

Police have Captor and Batons as well, as well as extensive training, force of numbers and back up if required. There is also the Fire Arms Officers - they can shoot dummy bullets or live rounds to "down" someone and if absolutely required snipers!

The "pins" for want of a better word are quite long, they have to be to get through clothing (jackets/undergarments) and the skin. What if it was summer and all they person was wearing was a T shirt? How much injury (if any of course) could potentially be sustained?

In case your not sure...I feel there still isn't a strong case for Tasers thats been put forward to the British public as yet :D

Perhaps the American contributers can add more - as they have had Tasers for some time now?

[Sgt_Major]

Ive been shot by the wire ones, and I been stunned by the handheld ones. Neither are nice, tho' the handheld one I think was worse because of circumtances. A "friend" shocked me with it from behind, right in the small of my back. My legs went numb and couldnt hold me up, so down I went, my whole body "itched" *prob the best way to describe it*. I think it was worse cos I didnt see it coming..... the wire one I was aware of, but it was an accidental firing, so I wasnt prepared to move, I really wasnt expecting it to go off...... lol I was wearing a teeshirt and a bomber jacket, you know the pilot type..... the pins pierced it and my t-shirt and nailed me above the nipple.....while the shock was more prolonged it wasnt as incapacitating ..... I was wobble legged, but still had feeling in them, wasnt able to do much other than scream and writhe about..... the guy stopped shocking me, and we had to use pliers to get the pins out, as they are barbed :eek:

Overall, if I had to choose, I think facing the wire one would be harder in fact as the wires are also live, and there is the obvious range issue, whereas the handheld one can be treated similar to a knife, both in range, and in terms of defense.

Thats only from my limited experience tho' and yes, they are illegal here too, so I dont intend to get/use one.

[KickChick]

Perhaps the American contributers can add more - as they have had Tasers for some time now?


Here you go .... excellent info here on this site regarding civilian use of the non-lethal taser in the U.S.
http://www.thearmedcitizen.com/gunpages/tasers.htm

[Sgt_Major]

Not a bad read....but this bit worries me:

First rule of a (self-defense) gunfight: Bring a gun.

First rule of a (self-defense) knife fight: Bring a gun.

First rule of defense against home invasion: Bring a gun.

Are we seeing the trend here, yet?

[KickChick]

Why should it worry you..... I am licensed & trained to have a gun by law :D

... maybe THAT should worry you! ;)

[Kwajman]

Here in Wisconsin the laws are tricky. The ones shaped like a gun are illegal for a non-policeman to own. The ones with the wires are illegal to own unless you have a gun permit. And the ones that require close up contact are legal but the police monitor who owns them.

By the way, did you read the article from Denver about the policemen who tasered a guy twice for possibly stealing a salad in a childrens restaurant?

[Sgt_Major]

Why should it worry you..... I am licensed & trained to have a gun by law :D

... maybe THAT should worry you! ;)

Not in the slightest....cos so am I! :D

But the fact that they openly promote the use of lethal force in any and all situations is concerning.

[Wax]

All i learnt of tasars i learnt of the show Jackass. He claimed that the pepper spray was more debilitating than the tasar, though you could not stand up to either.

[Slindsay]

Does anyone know the ratio of fatalities/permanent injury/no lasting ill affect for tasers? Just curious how they match up to a guy getting jumpedon by four burly policemen and pounded till he stops resisting.

[Matt_Bernius]

But the fact that they openly promote the use of lethal force in any and all situations is concerning.Actually I think that's it's more responsible to get it out on the table right off the bat. The fact is that self defense/fights involving a weapon are LETHAL situations. No use in sugar coating it.

This issue I have with that type of statement is that it over emphasizes the gun as a panacea. While a gun can be a great and useful tool, like any other tool it has its limitations.

- Matt

[tellner]

Not in the slightest....cos so am I! :D

But the fact that they openly promote the use of lethal force in any and all situations is concerning.

But every one of those is a lethal force situation

[tellner]

All i learnt of tasars i learnt of the show Jackass. He claimed that the pepper spray was more debilitating than the tasar, though you could not stand up to either.
I'd infinitely rather be pepper sprayed than tasered. You can push through pepper spray if you're motivated. With a taser the signals simply don't get to the muscles.

[Albert]

Yes, there pretty effective, more so in the hands of a mugger because they would usually have the first move. Ways of defending against this, would be to not get hit basically... thats all. Of course you could always do alittle PCP before you leave the house, and that should keep you safe, heheh. And as for pepper spray, its very effective if its very powerful.. i have a bottle i bought, with 5.3 million SHU's, its very very hot. Some peppersprays arent very good, a friend of mine has sprayed himself with different kinds, weaker ones, and stood up to it, i myself have been shot in the face with some and was fine as well, but the very powerful sprays will put down even big guys.

[NaughtyKnight]

Damn straight they are practical. About as practical as anything that fires hooks at you and shocks you with 40 000 volts until you pass out.

The cops here in Aus are getting them soon (bout when I hit the force) so I'll be using thoes bad boys :D.

If you fought someone that was armed with one, the only hope you have is knife hand blocking two hooks that fly at the speed of a bullet into your flesh.

In South Africa, they sell portable compact flame throwers, now thats something I want. :love: