Taser
Taser is a line of handheld conducted energy devices sold by Axon Enterprise. The device fires two small barbed darts intended to puncture the skin and remain attached to the target until removed by the user of the device. The darts are connected to the main unit by thin wires that achieve a high dielectric strength and durability given the extremely high-voltage electric current they conduct, which can be delivered in short-duration pulses from a core of copper wire in the main unit. This enormous rush of voltage into the body produces effects ranging from localized pain to strong involuntary long muscle contractions, causing "neuromuscular incapacitation", based on the mode of use and connectivity of the darts. When successfully used, the target is said to have been "tased".
The first Taser conducted energy weapon was introduced in 1993 as a less-lethal option for police to use to subdue belligerent or fleeing suspects, who might otherwise need to be subdued with more lethal means such as firearms., over 15,000 law enforcement and military agencies around the world used Tasers as part of their use of force continuum. In the United States, Tasers are marketed as less-lethal, since the possibility of serious injury or death still exists whenever the weapon is deployed. At least 49 people died in 2018 after being shocked by police with a Taser. Personal-use Tasers are marketed in the US but prohibited in Canada, where there is a categorical ban on all conducted energy weapons such as stun guns and Tasers, except for use by law enforcement.
A 2009 report by the Police Executive Research Forum in the United States found that police officer injuries dropped by 76% in large law enforcement agencies that deployed Taser devices in the first decade of the 21st century compared with those that did not use them at all. Axon and its CEO Rick Smith have claimed that unspecified "police surveys" show that the device has "saved 75,000 lives through 2011".
History
A United States patent by Kunio Shimizu titled "Arrest device" filed in 1966 describes an electrical discharge gun with a projectile connected to a wire with a pair of electrode needles for skin attachment.Jack Cover, a NASA researcher, began developing the first Taser in 1969. By 1974, Cover had completed the device, which he named Taser, using a loose acronym inspired by the title of the 1911 novel Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle, a book written by the Stratemeyer Syndicate under the pseudonym Victor Appleton and featuring Cover's childhood hero, Tom Swift. This was also done on the pattern of laser, as both a Taser and a laser fire a "beam" of energy at an object.
The first Taser model that was offered for sale, called the Taser Public Defender, used gunpowder as its propellant, which led the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms to classify it as a firearm in 1976.
Former Taser International CEO Patrick Smith testified in a Taser-related lawsuit that the catalyst for the development of the device was the "shooting death of two of his high school acquaintances" by a "guy with a legally licensed gun who lost his temper".
In 1993, Rick Smith and his brother Thomas founded the original company, Taser, and began to investigate what they called "safer use of force option for citizens and law enforcement". At their Scottsdale, Arizona facilities, the brothers worked with Cover to develop a "non-firearm Taser electronic control device". The 1994 Air Taser Model 34000 conducted energy device had an "anti-felon identification system" to prevent the likelihood that the device would be used by criminals; upon use, it released many small pieces of paper containing the serial number of the Taser device. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives stated that the Air Taser conducted energy device was not a firearm.
In 1999, Taser International developed an "ergonomically handgun-shaped device called the Advanced Taser M-series systems", which used a "patented neuromuscular incapacitation technology". In May 2003, Taser International released the Taser X26 conducted energy device, which used "shaped pulse technology". On July 27, 2009, Taser International released a new type of Taser device called the X3, which can fire three shots before reloading. It holds three new type cartridges, which are much thinner than the previous model. On April 5, 2017, Taser announced that it was rebranding itself as Axon to reflect its expanded business into body cameras and software. In 2018, Taser 7 conducted energy device was released, the seventh generation of Taser devices from Axon. The latest Taser device, the Taser 10 conducted energy device, was released in 2023.
Function
A Taser device fires two small dart-like electrodes, which stay connected to the main unit by thin insulated copper wire as they are propelled by small compressed nitrogen charges. The cartridge contains a pair of electrodes and propellant for a single shot and is replaced after each use. Once fired the probes travel at per second, spread apart for every they travel, and must land at least apart from each other to complete the circuit and channel an electric pulse into the target's body. They deliver a modulated electric current designed to disrupt voluntary control of muscles, causing "neuromuscular incapacitation". The effects of a Taser device may only be localized pain or strong involuntary long muscle contractions, based on the mode of use, connectivity and location of the darts on the body. The Taser device is marketed as "less-lethal", since the possibility of serious injury or death exists whenever the weapon is deployed.There are a number of cartridges designated by range, with the maximum at. Cartridges available to non-law enforcement consumers are limited to. Practically speaking, police officers must generally be within to use a Taser, though the X26's probes can travel as far as 35feet.
The electrodes are pointed to penetrate clothing and barbed to prevent removal once in place. The original Taser device probes unspool the wire from the cartridge, causing a yaw effect before the dart stabilizes, which made it difficult to penetrate thick clothing. Newer versions use a "shaped pulse" that increases effectiveness in the presence of barriers.
The Taser 7 conducted energy device is a two-shot device with increased reliability over legacy products. The conductive wires spool from the dart when the Taser 7 conducted energy device is fired, instead of spooling from the Taser cartridge which increases stability while in flight and therefore increases accuracy. The spiral darts fly straighter and faster with nearly twice the kinetic energy for better connection to the target and penetration through thicker clothing. The body of the dart breaks away to allow for containment at tough angles. Taser 7 has a 93% increased probe spread at close range, where 85% of deployments occur, according to agency reports. Rapid arc technology with adaptive cross-connection helps enable full incapacitation even at close range. Taser 7 wirelessly connects to the Axon network, allowing for easier updates and inventory management.
A Taser device may provide a safety benefit to police officers. The use of a Taser device has a greater deployment range than batons, pepper spray, or empty hand techniques. This allows police to maintain a greater distance. A 2008 study of use-of-force incidents by the Calgary Police Service conducted by the Canadian Police Research Centre found that the use of the Taser device resulted in fewer injuries than the use of batons or empty hand techniques. The study found that only pepper spray was a safer intervention option.
A typical Taser device can operate with a peak voltage of 50 kilovolts and an average electric current of 1.9 milliamps, delivered as 100-microsecond pulses at a rate of 19 per second. A supplier quotes a current of 3-4 milliamps.
Models
As of September 30, 2024, Axon has three main models of Taser conducted electrical weapons available for law enforcement and civilians where it is legal. Axons also lists the Taser Pulse as a civilian weapon, which runs at a 30 second cycle once fired; this is intended to allow the user to drop the CEW after firing and the escape from the target while they are incapacitated.The Taser X26P is a single-shot CEW. This was the main Taser model during the 2000s and 2010s, today it is intended as a compact model.
The Taser X2 adds dual lasers and a button-activated warning arc function. When the warning arc is engaged, the Taser CEW will display an arc of electricity at the front of the device without firing the cartridge, which is intended to intimidate an aggressor with the goal of having them voluntarily comply without the officer needing to use force.
The Taser 7 is a two-shot device with spiral darts that spool from the dart allowing the probes to fly straighter. It also adds the ability to load cartridges intended for different ranges.
The Taser 10 device was officially announced by Axon on January 24, 2023. In addition to the functions of the Taser 7, the Taser 10 features an increased probe distance of up to 45 feet, waterproof capabilities, increased probe velocity, and ability to deploy the probes individually allowing the officer to create their own "spread" unlike previous models, which relied heavily on precise aiming of the prongs at a fixed angle with the assistance of two lasers. The warning arc function was replaced with a high-pitched warning noise upon activating the weapon.
Lethality
As with all less-lethal weapons, use of the Taser system is never risk-free. Sharp metal projectiles and electricity are in use, so misuse or abuse of the weapon increases the likelihood that serious injury or death may occur. In addition, the manufacturer has identified other risk factors that may increase the risks of use. Children, pregnant women, the elderly, and very thin individuals are considered at higher risk. Persons with known medical problems, such as heart disease, history of seizure, or have a pacemaker are also at greater risk. Axon also warns that repeated, extended, or continuous exposure to the weapon is not safe. Because of this, the Police Executive Research Forum says that total exposure should not exceed 15 seconds.There are other circumstances that pose higher secondary risks of serious injury or death, including:
- Uncontrolled falls or subjects falling from elevated positions
- Persons running on hard or rough surfaces, like asphalt
- Persons operating machinery or conveyances
- Places where explosive or flammable substances are present
- Tasers can ignite gasoline and hand sanitizer