| Whenever you step into a store that sells weapons | | | | 100% effective by any means. They serve merely |
| intended for self-defense, you're presented with a | | | | to incapacitate an attacker, and they're not |
| tough decision. Before the 1980's, you didn't even | | | | guaranteed to completely stop someone in their |
| have to think about it, but with the advent of | | | | tracks. The most powerful stun baton on the market |
| non-lethal options, the average Joe looking to defend | | | | today carries up to 750,000 volts of electricity, but |
| both himself and his family has to make a cold, hard | | | | even that much juice isn't sure to keep you safe. If |
| choice between a handgun shooting real bullets, and a | | | | your attacker weighs a significant amount (or has a |
| stun gun, capable only of temporarily disabling an | | | | very high pain threshold), he still may be able to get |
| attacker. Here's some information to help you decide | | | | to you. |
| which road is more appropriate for your particular | | | | 4. Related to point two: could you pull the trigger of |
| situation. | | | | a handgun, knowing that it very well could end |
| 1. When you pull out a handgun, you have to be | | | | someone's life? In a life or death situation, where the |
| absolutely ready to pull the trigger. Self-defense | | | | safety of you and your family is on the line, the |
| experts will teach you that you don't aim for the legs | | | | answer is probably yes. But what about if someone |
| or the arms; every time you fire a shot, it needs to | | | | simply breaks into your home looking for jewelry or |
| be with the intention of killing the target. Every | | | | other valuables, and he or she isn't armed with |
| person who purchases a firearm needs to do it with | | | | anything at all? In this case, a non-lethal weapon |
| the knowledge that one day, they could be forced | | | | might be the superior choice. Knowing that you'll only |
| to use it. | | | | temporarily wound the intruder, there will be much |
| 2. Do you have children running around the house? | | | | less hesitation to pull the trigger. At the same time, |
| Though most handgun owners keep their weapons | | | | however, if you do not completely disable the |
| locked up, kids have a knack for getting into things | | | | antagonist, you certainly stand the chance of |
| they're not supposed to. Additionally, keeping a | | | | greeting a much angrier, more aggressive attacker |
| weapon secured behind a complicated control system | | | | when the shock wears off. |
| such as a combination lock means precious extra | | | | Choosing between a handgun and a stun gun is not |
| seconds if an intruder enters your home. While a | | | | an easy decision. It should be made with every |
| taser could certainly cause harm to a child, the | | | | factor in mind, because every situation is different. |
| chances for causing a fatal wound are very slim. | | | | Take the time to stop in your local self-defense |
| 3. If you're leaning towards a stun gun over | | | | shop, and talk to a professional who can help you |
| purchasing a handgun, remember that tasers are not | | | | weigh your options. |