Many people see a stun gun and automatically call it a TASER, not knowing there is a difference. A TASER is a specific type of stun gun. TASER is an acronym for “Thomas A. Swift’s Electronic Rifle;” the inventor of the TASER was a big fan of the old Tom Swift stories. The typical stun gun must touch the individual’s attacker, and TASERs shoot electric darts from up to 15 feet away. Stun guns deplete the attacker of blood sugar, causing muscle failure for a period of time. The longer the contact, the longer the person will remain down. The victim cannot be affected by the stun gun touching the attacker; this is a built-in fail safe. 1,000,000 volts is sufficient to do the job for you, though higher voltage may do the job more quickly, and some are comforted in knowing the gun has more power than needed. Some stun guns can also act as a baton and have a strip on the side that will shock the attacker.
TASERs shoot electronic darts attached to a wire, emitting electric pulses causing stimulation that affects sensory and motor reflexes. They are especially effective on those who tolerate a high level of pain. Modern pacemakers and implanted cardiac defibrillators withstand much higher levels of stimulation than that caused by TASER pulses.
The tool you choose to defend yourself and loved ones is a very personal one. Pick the tool you need based on what you believe is best for you, based on how you think you will respond and the abilities you believe (or know) you possess.