#stun gun
You’ve seen it in movies. You’ve read it in books. Someone gets tased, their eyes roll back in their head, and then they’re out like a light. Usually for several minutes.
Thing is, that’s not really how tasers or stun guns work.
Lets pull back a bit.
What are tasers and stun guns?
Unfortunately, the terminology surrounding these devices can get a bit screwy, so bear with me. (TLDR below)
“Stun gun" is a very broad term and essentially encompasses any weapon that shocks someone in order to “stun or immobilize” them. This can be anything from the typical self-defense tool, to cattle prods, to even tasers. However most of the time, they are referring to compact stun guns, which fit in the hand.
“Taser” is a actually just a brand name for a company that makes products that stun people. They’re most known for a type of long-range Electronic Control Device (ECD). This is the type of thing you would see a police officer carrying that looks sort of like a gun, although they make ones for civilian use as well [x]. However, since they’re one of the only companies that makes a long-range ECD, it’s not uncommon to simply refer to these types of devices as ‘tasers’. This is despite the fact that the company also make compact stun guns, such as the Taser Bolt [x].
The main ways compact stun guns (which I’ll be referring to as just stun guns from now on) and long-range ECD’s (which I’ll be referring to as tasers from now on) differ are in the range and method of immobilization.
Stun guns require you to be within arm’s distance of the person being shocked, since you need to touch the two conductive prongs directly to their skin to shock them. Tasers, on the other hand, shoot out projectiles connected to the main device by thin, conductive wires. Those projectiles deliver a shock into the subject in a pulse (usually around 5-30 seconds, depending on the model) each time the trigger is pulled. Tasers can also be used just like compact stun guns if the cartridge is removed (especially useful if you’ve already shot it and don’t have a spare cartridge).
Taser projectiles:
When a taser delivers its shock, it causes something called Neuromuscular Incapacitation (NMI). This means that the actual muscles themselves lock up and are incapable of moving for the entire duration of the shock. Stun guns on the other hand, do NOT utilize NMI. They instead rely on “pain compliance”, which is a fancy way of saying that it will hurt so bad, they should really want to stop, but that it doesn’t actually stop the muscles from being able to move.
This can be especially problematic if the subject you are shocking with a stun gun is on heavy drugs, has a neuromuscular disease or pain disorder, or even just has an extremely high pain tolerance. (Or, if you’re writing in any kind of fantasy story, if your character is possessed, being mind controlled, or under a spell.) With a taser, there is no way to “power through the pain”, however it’s possible with a stun gun.
TLDR
- Taser:
- Brand name, but generally:
- Shaped like a gun
- Long/medium range (shoots wired projectiles)
- Utilizes Neuromuscular Incapacitation (NMI)
- Physically locks up the muscles
- Stun Gun:
- Very broad term, but generally:
- Shaped like an electric razor
- Extremely short range (direct contact)
- Utilizes pain compliance only
- Does NOT lock up the muscles
How long do the effects last?
The NMI caused by a taser shock only lasts as long as the pulse. It’s completely possible to get tased and then get up and run off the second the pulse stops.
It’s possible, however, that hitting the ground could cause concussions, abrasions, broken bones, etc that would last for much longer.
There’s also the fact that getting shocked with a taser means you’ll have to get the barbed projectiles removed, which hurts about as much as you’d expect, and could be subject to infection just like any puncture wound.
Will getting tased or shocked with a stun gun render a person unconscious?
No.
At least, not the shock itself.
If the character falls and hits their head while being shocked, they might be rendered unconscious, and if the character has a really low pain tolerance, they might faint from the pain.
HOWEVER, don’t expect it! Don’t make step 3 of your characters’ daring escape plan “tase the guard, and while he’s unconscious, steal his keys.” This happens so often in books an movies and it’s so unrealistic. It’s so few and far between that it will actually happen, especially with a character that has any sort of pain tolerance.
Seriously, I mean people get tased all the time and don’t faint. If you think your dastardly villain’s elite guards are going to faint from something your friendly neighborhood weed dealer got hit with 3 times in a row in the middle of a Denny’s and was fine with, then…your dastardly villain needs new guards.
Good luck and good writing!
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