Taser International is Making Taser Guns Fashionable for Women

Can you imagine a police officer trying to halt a hardened criminal after pulling out a pretty pink taser gun from his police-issued holster? Ok, it won't happen, but thanks to one company, this scene could become more of a reality for women who want to protect themselves from potential harm from assault.

Women do not want to play victims anymore- they are becoming proactive in ways they can use to protect themselves from would-be attackers, whether it be in their own home, or while walking down the street. Taser International is a company that not only understands this mentality, but the embrace it, making available a taser that comes in stylish designs. This model is called the TASER C2, and is available for purchase for $379.99. The Taser C2 is designed so that it does not look like a gun, and comes in different colors such as metallic pink, leopard print, and electric blue. This device looks anything but fearsome, but it still packs a punch, able to stop a threat from up to 15 feet away.

The TASER C2 differs from a law enforcement model in a few ways. First, the air cartridge distance is 15 feet, as opposed to 21-35 feet available for law enforcement. The other main difference is in the 30-second cycle of the C2 versus the 5-second cycle of the law enforcement models. Other than that, the premise is the same; Taser International explains how a taser (also known as an electronic control device, or ECD) operates. Sensory and motor functions of a threat are interrupted by propelled wires or direct contact with the taser. A cartridge containing compressed nitrogen is stored in the taser, and when activated, it sends out 2 probes that are conducted with electricity, thus disabling the attacker.

The company stills acknowledges the fact that taser guns are indeed still weapons, no matter what pretty colors they are decorated with. The company makes demands on the consumer for taking responsibility in using a Taser. They employ a system called "CheckLok," where a Taser C2 is shipped with a lock on it that can only be opened with an activation code. This code is obtained when the purchaser submits to identification verification and a background check. CheckLok is then used to track the tasers, since each has a unique code attached to the purchaser.

Another way that Taser International ensures proper use is through the use of the "AFID Program." When the taser is used, the Taser cartridge releases hundreds of tiny confetti that has identifying tags on them. Law enforcement officers can then use this confetti to trace back to the unique serial numbers that are assigned each taser gun.

As taser guns are beginning to be more prevalent among consumers, these kind of assurances in consumer responsibility are of utmost importance. Although taser guns are not legally considered firearms according to the Department of the Treasury Bureau of Alchohol, Tobacco and Firearms, they certainly can be used for harm if they fall into the hands of the wrong person. For women looking for an extra sense of security however, this may be a great alternative to guns or other weapons. There are even new accessories being sold, such as carriers that play mp3's. A perfect disguise for women; men who think they are going to take advantage of a woman innocently listening to her mp3 player will certainly be "shocked" when she fires her new leopard print TASER C2.