JEDDAH: Stun guns and pepper sprays are fast becoming a popular accessory among the youth, especially girls.
As a result, the Makkah Governorate has formulated a committee, comprising the police and Investigation Department, to crackdown on shops that sell such items.
Stun guns — which are used to subdue attackers by administering electric currents — come in various sizes and shapes, including in the shape of batons and belts. Some stun guns are sold for only SR400 in Jeddah and discharge up to one million volts of electricity, which would be fatal according to statement issued by the Makkah Governorate.
Nazeeh Mohammed, a government official in his mid-30s, said he had seen a number of youngsters showing off their guns. He added that the type of guns he saw looked like mobile phones.
He further said that he went with a friend to a certain shop in Jeddah where a salesman showed them a small catalog of stun guns costing between SR600 and SR1,500.
He added that the prices had soared due to high demand. “Now that the devices are being cracked down on by the government, I think the prices are going to get even higher,” he said.
Youngsters who have bought stun guns said they have not found a problem in buying from shops. “As long as you look young and hip, and not like an undercover police officer, you shouldn’t have problems in finding them,” said Ahmad Abbas, a 22-year-old student.
The most common places to find such items are shops that sell fun electronic goods, he said, adding that many of his friends have bought stun guns but no one has used them so far.
“It’s more of a gimmick, or a trend among the youth, and will soon die out,” he said, adding that he understands the reasons behind women buying them but not young men.
“Since women sometimes have to ride taxis or walk alone in the street, I think it would be a good idea for a girl to carry a stun gun or a pepper spray in her purse.”
