Should Women Really Be Carrying Tasers?

With their pink trim and $350 price tag, Tasers are being sold as the new must-have. But is there any good reason to keep 50,000 volts in your purse?

The Great Debate

YES! Every two minutes someone is sexually assaulted in America.

And every 5.7 minutes there's a rape. Ordinarily, the Taser lets you take down potential attackers without injuring them. If you feel you are being threatened, you have the right to defend yourself, and a Taser is the humane way to do that. It's like putting on your seat belt. Do I want to use it? No. Do I have it in case I need it? Yes.

Dana Shafman,35, founder of shieldher.com, a website that promotes Taser use and women's safety

NO! More than 300 people have died after being shocked by police Tasers.

Once, as a guest at a police training session, I received a Taser-like shock. I fell down and had no muscle control. If that device had een in the hands of an assailant, I would have been helpless. If not properly controlled, Tasers could wind up being used in crimes. Women need ways to protect themselves, but I think self-defense training is the better plan.

Mona Cadena, 33, weapons expert for Amnesty International's West Coast branch

What do You Think?

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