Stun Batons

Stun batons and other devices that administer an electrostatic shock to an opponent are currently surrounded in controversy. Law enforcement agents sometimes use them to subdue out-of-control prisoners or assailants, but stun batons are not legally available to the public in many states. Of all of the different varieties of electrostatic shock implements, including stun belts, tazers, and shock prods, stun batons and tazers are perhaps the most popular.

Stun batons work in a similar fashion to cattle prods and normal police batons. Instead of having two electrodes on the business end, like a cattle prod does, stun batons carry an electric charge all along the shaft. Averaging 18 inches in length, they are wielded like police batons, but the high-voltage charge can daze and even temporarily paralyze an opponent.

Some stun batons are trigger activated. These generally carry a higher charge than batons that are always "on," but may take a little longer to activate. Compact stun batons (ten inches in length) with very high charges of 500,000 volts or so are also available.

Tazers

Tazers are projectile stun weapons. A compressed gas charge can launch small electrodes--which administer an electrostatic shock on contact--over distances of six meters or so with a pretty reliable degree of accuracy. Though the have the advantage over stub batons in terms of distance, some tasers may take time to reload, and many cannot penetrate thick clothing.