Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site mit-eddie.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!mit-eddie!hga From: hga@mit-eddie.UUCP (Harold Ancell) Newsgroups: net.politics Subject: Re: A new self-defense idea! Message-ID: <4286@mit-eddie.UUCP> Date: Wed, 15-May-85 02:04:46 EDT Article-I.D.: mit-eddi.4286 Posted: Wed May 15 02:04:46 1985 Date-Received: Thu, 16-May-85 04:25:55 EDT References: <355@idis.UUCP> <1602@ut-ngp.UUCP> <544@cadovax.UUCP> <358@mmintl.UUCP> <208@unc.UUCP> Distribution: net Organization: MIT, Cambridge, MA Lines: 18 People should be aware that the Taser and the "electric stun gun" are two different beasts. The Taser shoots out two little metal barbs attached to wires on reels. The wires are somewhere between 10 and 20 feet long, I think in the high teens. The idea is that the zap from them will stun the target/victim long enough for you to get away, or what ever. However, I remember reading one account in which a gas station attendent noticed the wires leading to his chest and just pulled them out. On severe bug with the Taser is that if you hit one of two particular muscles over the heart you will kill the person. It was an idea with merit that didn't really work out. The "stun gun" is a handheld device with two electrodes. The idea here is that you touch the gun to the victims skin, pull the trigger, and send 40,000 volts through him, causing pain, shock, etc. I have doubts about these things having much use beyond torture, given that they are easy to use repeatly, and leave no marks. - Harold