Yellow Jacket Cell Phone Case Packs A Stun Gun

Nobody likes to imagine being caught in a circumstance when they’re forced to protect themselves from harm, but it’s a reality for many. Being able to protect yourself can be a challenge because most people don’t carry weapons around with them wherever they go. One thing most people do carry with them nearly everywhere is their cell phone, which is what makes the Yellow Jacket cell phone case so appealing. It doesn’t just protect the phone. It can be used to protect the phone owner as well.

Cell phone cases have evolved over the years to perform double duty as flasks, flashlights, and even cute little pets. The Yellow Jacket has a different sort of secondary use. It packs a 650,000-volt stun gun, enough to help a potential victim to shock their assailant and aid in escape.

The crowd-funded company hit their IndieGoGo goal of $100,000 on July 31st, 2012, just three hours before the campaign expired. The company was founded by Louisiana State University graduates Sean Simone and Seth Froom. They built the prototype to hold the iPhone 4 and 4S, and they are releasing cases for the iPhone 5 as well as one for Android devices such as the Samsung Galaxy 3.

The timing couldn’t be better for the company with the gun debate happening in Washington, D.C. and across the United States. Simone was quick to seize on the opportunity. “There are people that have rifles, shotguns, all sorts of stuff, people that don’t carry anything,” he said. “But the bottom line is you always carry your phone.”

The phone features two safety components – a protective cap that covers the electrodes, and a safety switch that must be engaged before it can release its stun. This two-part safety protocol is the standard minimum for standalone stun guns. Beyond expanding to other phones, their development plans also include building a more powerful version that could be used by law enforcement and professional security services. Here is the video they used to promote their project on IndieGoGo followed by a news report showing the stun gun in action on a reporter. – If you want more information about awesome and geeky gifts, read the full info here.