Today, stun guns and TASER® are used by law enforcement agencies and private citizens around the world as a self defense mechanism or way to subdue individuals. They are designed to disable attackers temporarily, but are not meant to cause permanent harm. How did the idea for stun guns get started?

The idea for stun guns actually stems from the electric chair. First used in the late 1880's, this invention led to electricity being used to torture prisoners. These weapons were strong enough to cause pain, but not powerful enough to kill the prisoner. By the 1930's, several devices existed that fit the requirements for non-lethal electrical devices. These included the Argentine Picana Electrica and the Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT) device, an Italian invention. Several principles of each are incorporated into today's stun gun and TASER designs, although these were generally weaker than today's versions.

Another area of development resulting in today's TASER devices are electric cattle prods and similar devices in use since the 1940's to deliver a mild electrical shock to livestock. These were often shaped like the modern stun gun, and in fact some of the first designs for such devices were based on the design of electric cattle prods.

The first U.S. designs for stun guns and related devices appeared in the 1950's and early 1960's, including the “Electrified Stick for Postmen” and related devices. These devices were adopted by some police departments to control prisoners or prevent riots. During the early 1970s, the first modern stun guns were patented. These feature a small battery operating a current with high voltage and low amperage, which is the key to the TASER or stun gun's nonlethal effects.

The first model accepted as an early TASER grew out of developments by Jack Cover, a NASA researcher in the late 1960's and early 1970's. His “TASER Public Defender” used cordite to propel the electric barbs towards the attacker, leading to its official classification as a firearm in 1976. Later, a newer version with a different propel mechanism was re-classified as a non-firearm TASER electronic control device.

By the end of the 1970s, similar devices were being marketed to consumers as self-defense products that can be used against muggers or other attackers. Today, many different styles are available for purchase. In the last several years, such devices have gained rapidly in popularity, as individuals look for nonlethal methods of self protection that can be carried in a purse or vehicle.

The design of stun guns is still developing today. Newer models can produce up to 1.2 million volts, and feature a more ergonomic and easy-to-use design. For example, the newest TASER model, produced by TASER International, is shaped like a handgun. This M-Series device is designed to be easy to use for those who are not used to the technology. Though they are based on a simple electric current, changing technology allows TASER and stun guns to deliver a more powerful, yet still nonlethal, jolt of electricity.

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