Taser parties all the rage these days?

We realize tasers have been getting an awful lot of attention lately after that Gator down south got a bit too feisty at a John Kerry Q&A session, but we're trying hard to believe that this story is from a parallel universe and not our own. Apparently, some women in America are gathering around hors d'oeuvres and bottled water to hear taser plugs, which is quite a leap from the oh-so-innocent Tupperware parties of yesteryear. As expected, paranoid gals are snapping up the pink versions like they're going out of style, but considering that stun gun-proof garb is just around the corner, you should probably save your cash and just stick with the BlackBerry.

[Via TechDigest]

[Andir3.0 @ Nov 13th 2007 7:09PM]

Don't taze me bro! I'm playing Doom Nuken Forever in my Frist Psto!!


Sorry, now that those are out of the way... I think ever generation has it's "party" Anyone remember alcohol enemas?

[ScottW @ Nov 14th 2007 8:14AM]

In this case, wouldn't that be "Don't tase me, sis!!"...?

[stefan @ Nov 13th 2007 7:11PM]

Well if they came with a "very low voltage"-setting and a silk baggy then i'd understand why women would go for the pink ones.

[Fruition @ Nov 13th 2007 7:12PM]

...What??

[Liam @ Nov 13th 2007 7:21PM]

Probably a better option than mace. Hey, there's a reason you can't buy that crap in the UK.

[TEM @ Nov 13th 2007 7:46PM]

Liam,

Why would you need to defend yourself when you have the benevolent eye of the Sovereign watching you 24/7 through thousands of cameras.

[Asha Kydd @ Nov 13th 2007 8:19PM]

It is due to the fact that bad guys can use these weapons too that they are banned in many countries.

[paul34 @ Nov 13th 2007 8:45PM]

Indeed. I recommend many countries also ban fists, because bad guys can use them to hit you.

I'll go saw off my hands right now.

[Andir3.0 @ Nov 13th 2007 10:22PM]

Outlaw tazers and only outlaws will use tazers.

Replace tazers with any weapon/suppression device. I prefer to be able to defend myself thank you.

[Ethan @ Nov 13th 2007 7:41PM]

Defence shouldn't be used as a euphemism because it's a completely different word to 'attack.' And, even with the inherent danger of letting people have these, it's not even an infallible defence.

[ethana2 @ Nov 14th 2007 12:18AM]

A slight syntax error in your post has left my brain's english parser somewhat confused.
Article in question: 'to' between 'word' and 'attack'

...but I think every responsible person should be able to bear arms. Something about commons sense, and, oh, the laws this country was founded on..

[Reader @ Nov 13th 2007 7:52PM]

I can see the use for the jacket. Hanging out with a friend trying to get him to let you tase him, so you compromise to let him tase you (while wearing the jacket of course). Pretend to be in a little bit of pain, but not much and he'll let you tase him. He'll be in for quite the surprise.

I would totally rent one just to do this once.

[kojo87 @ Nov 13th 2007 7:55PM]

when i read the title i thought it was the kind of party where people got together and zapped each other with Tasers. somehow this is even stranger...

[Asha Kydd @ Nov 13th 2007 8:20PM]

People are doing that.

[paul34 @ Nov 13th 2007 8:47PM]

LOL, me too.

Asha, no they aren't. Read the article again.

[ugg.tryptophan @ Nov 13th 2007 10:42PM]

tase me bro

[Strangely Brown @ Nov 13th 2007 7:55PM]

Wow, when I first saw the headline about "Taser parties," I thought it would be about how those wacky teenagers were getting together at night and tasing themselves for fun, ostensibly because they ran out of meth or X or whatever. This is one of the few times I've been pleasently surprised on the internet...

[Parker @ Nov 13th 2007 7:56PM]

Oh, they're just selling Tasers? Lame. I thought these were like pharm parties, where dozens of high-schoolers descend on your house when Mom and Pop are out of town, and sadomasochistically tase each other into electric euphoria. Oh well.

[StrangeBum @ Nov 13th 2007 8:22PM]

All I know..is I saw Phoenix, AZ in that picture. I live in Goodyear, AZ and this just disturbs me. What a state this country has come to, we have enough problems in Arizona with illegal immigration and a horrible drought. This really isn't something else we need here.

In a related note, I just decided I'm moving to South Dakota.

[Johnny @ Nov 13th 2007 9:12PM]

Grate. Now you can taze in style!

[Tech Artist @ Nov 13th 2007 9:41PM]

Odd... Do they also Taze each other? If so I hope theres filming cause Tazer videos are always hilarious! =D

[Josh L @ Nov 13th 2007 10:28PM]

Isn't a tupperware party where women get together and think up new ways to use tupperware? What new ways are they thinking up to use tazers besides just tazing people?

[James Sonne @ Nov 13th 2007 10:45PM]

South Florida are the Bulls, not the Gators.

[Charles R Hamilton @ Nov 13th 2007 11:40PM]

Three words...Three,fifty,seven.

[Lloyd @ Nov 14th 2007 2:31AM]

I think it might be better if we offered them something more powerful in pink....like a Glock. The taser-proof clothing won't make a difference then. Think about Glock parties. Nice.

And I am not joking. :)

[Jack @ Nov 14th 2007 6:02AM]

set tasers from stun to kill

[kbiel @ Nov 14th 2007 11:02AM]

Taser C2: http://www.allsparestools.com/Product.asp?ID=28745&Page=&Sku=TSR31010&gclid=CKiiqanZ3I8CFRsIWAodqm5y7w
Cost - $349.99
Range - 15 ft
Stopping Power - Probable

.38 Special: http://www.academy.com/index.php?page=content&target=products/outdoors/hunting/center_fire_revolvers&start=0&selectedSKU=0358-03613-5102
Cost - $244.00
Range - 0 to 100+ feet
Stopping Power - Guaranteed

I think I'll give my daughters the .38 since it's cheaper, they can practice with it, and it's guaranteed to stop any attacker.

[jim d @ Nov 14th 2007 11:08AM]

It's worth noting that Tazer is headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ. So I wouldn't be surprised if the local media got duped into this story by a PR goon.

[Supra Dragon @ Nov 14th 2007 11:48AM]

"Taser International, Inc., is selling the devices."

Taser International would like to thank Local6.com and Engadget.com for the free advertising of the new hot pink Taser (gun). Our marketing director (a recent MBA) said manipulating new media was the way to increase profits, and sales would increase 25% through blogging about Taser Parties. Drinks are on us next time Engadget! Thanks again.

Taser International, Inc.

ps. Someone please submit our Taser Party story to digg.com, del.icio.us, reddit.com, newsvine.com, metafilter.com, truemors.com, news.google.com, news.yahoo.com, wired.com, slashdot.org, fark.com, and stumbleupon.com. Also please link the local6 video to youtube.com, metafilter.com, ifilm.com, liveleak.com, metacafe.com, video.google.com, video.aol.com, and video.yahoo.com.

pps. You guys are great.

[SReg @ Nov 14th 2007 11:53AM]

What about Surprise parties?

[Z @ Nov 14th 2007 3:56PM]

There's no such thing as "Stun-gun proof garb", Engadget. That jacket isn't even out yet - that is, if it ever comes out. And even if it does, you know 99.99% of the world won't be wearing it, anyway, because people just don't search for features like that in their clothing; and for those who would, they wouldn't wear it everyday.

Besides, all a person has to do is just taser someone in the face, neck, legs, or in the groin. Or give 'em a "hot shot" of pepper mace, and then taser them. Either way, watch 'em drop like a rock.

One thing to keep in mind, is that innocent citizens will always find ways to keep themselves safe. And if any gear comes out that proves to be a real deterrent in preventing the effective use of Tasers, one of two things will happen: new Taser technology will be developed to render the gear useless, or people will move up by getting concealed weapons licenses and start carrying guns - and there's no defense against that (and no, bullet proof vests won't ultimately save your life - there are many other places besides a vest area that a person can get seriously wounded, even fatally so).

Being tasered would be preferable to being shot or stabbed. And because people are never going to stop protecting themselves in one way or another, if Tasers help prevent people and law enforcement from otherwise resorting to dangerous means of defense, then those on the receiving end are fortunate.