(USA Relevant)

As you may recall from previous posts, we have a friend here in Kazakhstan that owns a taser. The obvious effect is one of improving his personal security, and perhaps confidence walking around town in the evening.

The use and legality of tasers and stun guns varies from country to country, but where they are allowed, they can make all the difference between a terrifying mugging, and an incapacitated criminal on the floor. As I have previously mentioned, I personally believe that an untrained, unaware person with a taser is not necessarily going to be any better off in a confrontation, however I was glad to see that SafetyEssentials provide an instructional DVD with some of their tasers, so hopefully people will find the defence accessory (it is not classified as a firearm in the majority of American states) tips the balance in their favour should they ever find themselves in a potentially violent situation.

In terms of crime prevention, this city obviously has its trouble areas, where people do not tend to walk around at night, unless there is a real need to. This is found in most areas of the world, and in some cities, even if the statistics do not alarm an inhabitant, simply walking around an unknown area at night can be enough to require some form of re-assurance. Obviously there are other items that can be used for self defence, ranging from batons to pepper spray, but different restrictions apply to them in different areas, and some would argue that a baton is the best sort of equipment for either a well trained civilian, or perhaps a security guard, rather than the elderly, especially as out in the open, the pepper spray can blow in an un-expected direction. The taser however, especially those with a laser guide for accuracy, seems a more appropriate defence mechanism for those without great physical strength - if you can point it in the direction of an assailant, and have enough finger power to squeeze the trigger, you are good to go!