| Today, stun guns and TASER® are used by law | | | | modern stun guns were patented. These feature a |
| enforcement agencies and private citizens around the | | | | small battery operating a current with high voltage |
| world as a self defense mechanism or way to | | | | and low amperage, which is the key to the TASER |
| subdue individuals. They are designed to disable | | | | or stun gun's nonlethal effects. |
| attackers temporarily, but are not meant to cause | | | | The first model accepted as an early TASER grew |
| permanent harm. How did the idea for stun guns get | | | | out of developments by Jack Cover, a NASA |
| started? | | | | researcher in the late 1960's and early 1970's. His |
| The idea for stun guns actually stems from the | | | | "TASER Public Defender" used cordite to propel the |
| electric chair. First used in the late 1880's, this | | | | electric barbs towards the attacker, leading to its |
| invention led to electricity being used to torture | | | | official classification as a firearm in 1976. Later, a |
| prisoners. These weapons were strong enough to | | | | newer version with a different propel mechanism |
| cause pain, but not powerful enough to kill the | | | | was re-classified as a non-firearm TASER electronic |
| prisoner. By the 1930's, several devices existed that | | | | control device. |
| fit the requirements for non-lethal electrical devices. | | | | By the end of the 1970s, similar devices were being |
| These included the Argentine Picana Electrica and the | | | | marketed to consumers as self-defense products |
| Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT) device, an Italian | | | | that can be used against muggers or other attackers. |
| invention. Several principles of each are incorporated | | | | Today, many different styles are available for |
| into today's stun gun and TASER designs, although | | | | purchase. In the last several years, such devices |
| these were generally weaker than today's versions. | | | | have gained rapidly in popularity, as individuals look for |
| Another area of development resulting in today's | | | | nonlethal methods of self protection that can be |
| TASER devices are electric cattle prods and similar | | | | carried in a purse or vehicle. |
| devices in use since the 1940's to deliver a mild | | | | The design of stun guns is still developing today. |
| electrical shock to livestock. These were often | | | | Newer models can produce up to 1.2 million volts, and |
| shaped like the modern stun gun, and in fact some | | | | feature a more ergonomic and easy-to-use design. |
| of the first designs for such devices were based on | | | | For example, the newest TASER model, produced by |
| the design of electric cattle prods. | | | | TASER International, is shaped like a handgun. This |
| The first U.S. designs for stun guns and related | | | | M-Series device is designed to be easy to use for |
| devices appeared in the 1950's and early 1960's, | | | | those who are not used to the technology. Though |
| including the "Electrified Stick for Postmen" and | | | | they are based on a simple electric current, changing |
| related devices. These devices were adopted by | | | | technology allows TASER and stun guns to deliver a |
| some police departments to control prisoners or | | | | more powerful, yet still nonlethal, jolt of electricity. |
| prevent riots. During the early 1970s, the first | | | | |