While Tasers are a good tool they are just that a tool. I have seen them fail, on the same suspect (person) that pepper spray failed on. My partners (I saw the in car video as I was off duty) had to resort to good old fashioned brute force to remove the suspect from his car (DWI), once out he was secured and taken to jail. The subject was searing a Carhart coat and insulated coveralls. He was hit with two different cartridges and shocked through four (2 with each cargridge) series of the Taser's shocks without any effect. The Taser had been fully charged at the start of the officer's shift. four probes had to be removed from the suspect's clothing. This was before Taser redesigned their probes lengthening them.

Other problems with a Taser is it is only effective on one person at a time, unlike a firearm, or pepper spray. Second is the cost. For the price you could buy a very good handgun, ammo, pepper spray, and holsters for them. Third Tasers shoot two probes that both have to stick into the target (person) or it will have no effect.

Also in some areas it is illegal to carry either a Taser or a pistol legally, or they require the same permit.

On the plus side, the Taser is non-lethal, and can be used, and dropped to allow escape while it cycles through it's shock.

The choice is yours, but on duty I carry OC (pepper spray), a pistol, and a flashlight (impact weapon). My department is not issued or allowed Tasers. The unit involved was a neighboring department that arrived to backup my partner.

Good luck and Stay Safe