Many blaster pistols had a close-range stun setting, meaning the wielder could switch the weapon to fire stun shots instead of lethal fire, however the close-range stun setting was limited to a range of only 9 meters. Pistols, especially blaster pistols, are manufactured by thousands of different companies and found everywhere in the galaxy and in virtually every era. They are used by nearly all types of persons, including nobles, soldiers, bodyguards, bounty hunters, law enforcement agents, merchants, and anyone in need of basic firepower, personal protection, or a backup weapon.