August 17, 2007

Electrifying

There's a new Taser on the market. It's small enough to fit into your purse, powerful enough to drop a threatening fool in his tracks and as inexpensive as a decent handgun.

Plus, it's available in metallic pink, electric blue, titanium silver and black pearl, for those concerned about style.

"We wanted to make sure that it was something that people were comfortable carrying and didn't make it look like they were 'Dirty Harry,'" said Tom Smith, the company's co-founder and board chairman, referring to the Clint Eastwood movie.

It comes with a laser sight. Heh.
But some of the nation's top police authorities are concerned that the gadgets could easily wind up in the wrong hands.

Nonsense. A civilian version of the Taser has been available for over a decade. I'm not saying that Tasers have never been used in a crime, but why try to rob someone with a one-shot weapon when a pistol can be bought for less money?

And that is a very strong reason why I don't think it's all that hot as a self-defense option. It's one-shot. Miss your target, and you're right back where you started, except the bad guy is now pissed off that you tried to Taser him.

There's a time and place for the personal Taser, just like there are situations where pepper spray or loud whistles are appropriate, but the bottom line is that having these things won't help a bit if you can't or won't instantly and agressively defend yourself.

Learn self-defense. Get a gun and learn how to use it. Be aware of your surroundings. By that last, I mean to get the damn phone outta your ear and pay attention! Same goes for the ipod, you might as well wear a giant blinking sign that says "Obliviot".

Posted by: Ted at 05:41 AM | category:
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1 Did you see the story about the guy who was tazered while holding his newborn? When I first heard about the story I thought it might be a rent a cop, but it was an off duty officer.

Wouldn't the shock travel to the baby?

Here is the link.

Posted by: Amy at August 17, 2007 09:19 PM (6MB22)

2 Not looking like an obliviot can suffice as a deterrent. I recall a report in the "It happened to me" column in one of the gun magazines. This guy spotted what looked to be a couple of predators down the street, eying people as they walked by. He realized he had left his licensed carry piece at home that day, but he straightened his back, loosened his left arm (he would have been wearing a shoulder holster) and strode down the street. The goblins faded off in the other direction.

Posted by: triticale at August 18, 2007 08:02 AM (VuKTM)

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