3 Principles of operation

Stun guns work by applying a high-voltage, but low-current, electrical charge. Since the nervous system in our bodies works by sending electrical charges of its own through neural pathways, the electric current provided by a stun gun "confuses" the nervous system. This can cause the recipient of a charge from a stun gun (the "recipient"), as well as feeling great pain, to feel paralyzed for a brief instant, because his or her brain is now receiving mixed signals from the nervous system. Or, the electric current can cause many random muscles to trigger, causing a spasm or convulsion in many areas of the body. The high voltage is needed to get the charge into the subject's body, and the current is kept low (3 milliampsIn physics, the ampere (symbol: A often informally abbreviated to amp is the SI base unit used to measure electrical currents. The present definition, adopted by the 9th CGPM in 1948 is: "one ampere is that constant current which, if maintained in two str, depending on the model) so that the subject will not be injured severely. Some guns use a lower fluctuating voltage, designed to mimic the body's muscle-triggering impulses, immobilizing the recipient with less current. This has been labelled a "tetanizing weapon".

A 0.06 ampIn physics, the ampere (symbol: A often informally abbreviated to amp is the SI base unit used to measure electrical currents. The present definition, adopted by the 9th CGPM in 1948 is: "one ampere is that constant current which, if maintained in two str currentIn electricity, current is the rate of flow of charges, usually through a metal wire or some other electrical conductor. Conventional current was defined early in the history of electrical science as a flow of positive charge, although we now know that, i is generally enough to kill a person, so the devices are low current, but they use a very a high voltage so the electricity can overcome resistance from skin and flow through the subject.

According to the makers of stun guns, a charge of 1/4 second will cause intense pain and muscle contractions, startling most people greatly. 1 to 2 seconds will often cause the subject to become dazed and drop to the ground, and over 3 seconds will usually completely disorient and drop an attacker, for at least several minutes and possibly for up to fifteen minutes.

While generally non-lethal, the charge of stun-guns can kill in some circumstances, especially by disruption of the heartThis page is about the muscular organ, the Heart . For other meanings of the word, see Heart (disambiguation). The heart ( Latin cor is a hollow, muscular organ that pumps blood through the blood vessels by repeated, rhythmic contractions. The term cardia muscle's rhythm. Also, some localized nerve damage is possible, and a small electrical burn where the electrodes touch the skin. Spear electrodes leave small wounds where they penetrate. If improperly used, for example if an electrode touches a person's eye, more serious damage can occur.

4 Legal restrictions

They are generally used for self defense, or sometimes by law enforcement to subdue an out-of-control prisoner. They are illegal or subject to legal restrictions on their availability and use in many jurisdictions. Reports of the devices being used for torture or as interrogation tools have led to restrictions on export of the devices.

5 Controversy

The use of these devices, particularly by law enforcement, is sometimes the subject of debate.

Concerns have been raised about the risks that a stun gun poses to people with heart disease, and there have been reports of deaths of such individuals after stun gun use. The manufacturers recommend that the devices not be used on people known to have heart disease. It should be pointed out that alternatives to the use of stun guns also have substantial risks of their own.

Stun guns have been used at political protests such as those by the anti-globalization movement. Members of this movement have argued that the technology, and other "non-lethal" weapons, are likely to become tools for suppressing legitimate protest.

The use of stun belts has been condemned by Amnesty Internationalamnesty international or ai is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) that works to promote all the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international standards. In particular, Amnesty International c as torture, not only for the physical pain the devices cause, but by what they view as the psychological torture they inflict on people wearing one. They have also raised extensive concerns about the use of other electro-shock devices in American prisons, as they can (and according to Amnesty, sometimes are) used to inflict cruel pain on individuals without leaving the telltale markings that a conventional beating might. The American Civil Liberties Union has also raised concerns about their abuse in prisons.

Electric shocks have been used as an instrument of torture in many countries around the world.

6 External links

• http://www.howstuffworks.com/stun-gun.htm
• http://www.safetygearhq.com/stunguns.htm
• http://www.personal-selfdefense-online.com/stunguninfo.htm
• http://www.protectmefirst.com/stun_gun_faq.htm
• http://www.safetygearhq.com/advanced-taser-owners-manual.htm

Less-lethal weapons

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