There are generally much stricter regulations on non-lethal weapons than there are on guns, so the OP might have to be careful in his choice of taser (depending

There are generally much stricter regulations on non-lethal weapons than there are on guns, so the OP might have to be careful in his choice of taser (depending on where he lives). I grew up in Texas and was always surprised by how cautious I needed to be with my boy scout issued knife -- carrying it in Houston would have been a felony, but carrying a glock was permitted everywhere. I remember my mom having to carry a can of bear repellant instead of mace for the same reason.