>A stun gun is a much better weapon to use for home and personal protection. In most cases, you can incapacitate the intruder without killing him. There are a few cases where it can bring on a heart attack (in older people with heart conditions,) but I figure if you break into my home and intend bodily harm, then all bets are off. At least with a stun gun you can incapacitate without killing and get out of there and call the cops (who may show up eventually). I know that I have a different view on this than the average Brit,

Hey, I'm with you on this. Anybody comes into my house and dies as a result, I wouldn't weep into my pillow. I think most Brits have little sympathy for burglars but the law is too ambiguous about what comprises "resaonable force" to overcome or subdue an intruder (we want carte blanche to kill the buggers :-)

>but living with a 9mm under my pillow for years in the past has probably warped my view on it anyway and I cannot risk a deadly weapon in my home with a teenager(s) in the house.

It's the inablity to get a decent hight's sleep with tha hard lump under the pillow that's done it! :-) Anyway, why've you kept a piece under the pillow? It's not exactly Dodge City or a gold mining settlement where you live!
>

The point you have not addressed is what's good for the goose is good for the gander. i.e. if all hands can get hold of stun guns or tasers then they can be just as easily used by the bad guys as the good. e.g. someone breaks into your house and stuns you in bed while they steal all your jewels from under your nose, or even worse ... e.g. at the ATM they don't bother telling you they have a gun or knife but just drop you and take your cash, etc. etc.
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>>A common reason for people not to resort to guns is oft said in the USA that too many end up on the receiving end of their own piece. Even more so here, what's to stop rapists or muggers using one on a victim, rather than trhe other way round? Similar for hand-held pepper sprays. i.e. the "defensive" weapon can be used offensively.
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>>If I wanted to overcome someone, for nefarious reasons, I'd rather stun him than get involved in a struggle with him.
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>>>Tasers have been available now for years to the public. In most states they are not considered a gun and are legal for citizens to own. Not sure how up-to-date this is but here is list:
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>>>http://www.spygadgets.com/personal-protection/stun-gun-taser-laws.html
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>>>I know several women who carry a taser. It is best in this country to assume someone is carrying one than not nowadays...
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>>Exactly! So one is put off speaking up for oneself on, say, a bus or train, if someone's being loutish, for fear that he might turn a gun, knife or, now, a taser on one.
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>>I think it were better in the days when folk openly just carried swords at their hips. Then at least you knew where you stood. :-)
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>>>>>http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/3224/relgionfreedvdplayer5jd.jpg
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>>>>Speaking of cool new products, I heard on the radio the other day that a consumer Taser was introduced at the big electronics show this week. I want one! Get a snotty clerk at some store? Just zap 'em. They'll be a little more polite from then on, don't you think?