General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: If you carry a concealed gun, you are the problem [View all]Lee-Lee
(6,324 posts)15 feet is a very, very close range.
If a person is coming at you with a knife or other contact weapon, 15 feet is too close to allow then to get. Google "Teuller Drill" and watch some videos, we did those drills in our basic law enforcement training to show that an attacker with a knife at 21 feet will almost always be able to close with you and stab you before you can draw, aim and fire a pistol or taser.
I have seen self defense shootings during armed robberies at greater than 15 feet. Also in apartment hallways, a persons front porch, there are lots of examples.
But even if we toss the 15 foot thing out, the other limitations are pretty significant. I usually advise my students to get a good quality pepper spray that shoots a stream ahead of a taser- it will gain you a few more feet, it has more than one shot, and if the attacker is affected the results last longer. But it has downsides as well- it does not affect all people, it can blow back into your eyes, and if you use it from inside your car against an attacker trying to get in you must lower the window and you will be affected to the point driving away will be difficult.