Activated by pulling out a grenade-like pin and palming an embedded finger pad, the Armstar BodyGuard 9XI-HD01 sparks a loud and visible arc of electricity between its wrist-mounted taser spikes, a sight that inventor David Brown hopes will encourage would-be crooks to surrender.
Since January Cupim has reeled in 200 applicants from private security companies and law enforcement agencies like the FBI and CIA. Among the 40 now enrolled is a personal bodyguard to Afghan President Hamid Karzai.