THE LIGHTWEIGHT TASER FOR WOMEN (it comes in pink!) gets some attention at The New York Times. The article’s all about how dangerous it might be — even pepper spray gets a skeptical look, and they’re very unhappy that it’s for sale on Amazon — but the real story is the growing public interest in self-defense.

Of course, a Taser isn’t like a Star Trek phaser. How well does it work? Check out this video of Erik Sofge getting zapped.