Gadgets lined up as if at a beauty parade at last week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, each hoping to be crowned 'the new iPod'. One came in four colours: black pearl, titanium silver, electric blue and metallic pink. The effect of the sleekly designed device is stunning. Literally.

The Taser C2 is no digital music player, rather a 'personal protection system' based on the Taser stun guns used by police to deliver an incapacitating jolt of electricity. Current models cost about £500, but the C2 will go on sale in April for little more than £150 and, no bigger than a TV remote control, is aimed at mainstream buyers.

Taser International says the device delivers an energy burst of 30 seconds and can stop a threatening individual from up to 15ft away. When fired, it sprays 30 tiny pieces of confetti encoded with a serial number so that the owner can be traced. Buyers must have completed a background check to ensure they are suitable.

Amnesty International USA condemned the product, claiming there have been 200 Taser-related deaths. Larry Cox, its executive director, said: 'It's a terrible idea, it's a dangerous idea. I can't think of any reason you would want these out in public.' The police have also expressed concerns.

Tasers are banned in several American states, and a spokesman for Taser International said there is no prospect of the C2 coming to Britain. Which is probably a relief.