7. DIRECT CONTACT ELECTRIC SHOCK WEAPONS Description: Direct contact electric shock weapons include electric shock batons, electric shock shields and stun guns. Electric shock batons or stun batons are portable, handheld weapons that often look similar to ordinary police batons. Some models have two or four electrodes near the tip. Some have metallic strips or spirals along the length of the baton to conduct electricity. Electric shock shields marketed for policing assemblies are usually convex, and current models are round, rectangular or square. Electric current runs along one or more conductive strips. Some models feature visible shock sparks and/or alert sirens. Stun guns are widely sold for self-defence purposes, but they have also been used by law enforcement officials. There are many different designs available, but most are either straight or curved handheld devices with either two or four electrodes. Stun gloves are gloves with a built-in direct contact stun device. They have been marketed for law enforcement use. Intended purpose: The high voltage electric shock from these weapons is applied directly, as the weapon is pressed against the skin or clothing of an individual, causing intense pain, but not usually incapacitation. Some direct contact electric shock weapons also perform other functions. For instance, some can also dispense chemical irritants, and some stun guns can function as flashlights. Although direct contact electric shock weapons have been marketed for policing assemblies, they are not widely used by law enforcement officers in the OSCE region