Taser

A Taser is a handheld conducted energy device (CED) used to deliver electric energy to a target.

These tools are used by over 15,000 law enforcement and military agencies globally. Manufacturers often describe them as "less-lethal" rather than "non-lethal." This distinction is important because the possibility of serious injury or death still exists. For example, at least 49 people died after being shocked by police with a Taser in 2018. Because of these risks, the use of the device is never completely without danger.

The device works through a specific mechanical and electrical process. When triggered, the device fires two small, barbed electrodes toward a target. These probes are propelled by small compressed nitrogen charges. Once the probes strike, the barbs help them stay attached to the skin or clothing. Thin, durable wires connect each probe back to the main unit. These wires must have high dielectric strength to handle the extreme voltage. This setup allows the device to complete an electrical circuit through the target's body.

This electrical circuit produces a phenomenon called neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI). The main unit contains a copper wire core that delivers short-duration pulses. A typical device can operate with a peak voltage of 50,000 volts. Under load, the voltage delivered to the body is approximately 2,000 volts. The device delivers an average electric current of 1.9 milliamps. These are sent as 100-microsecond pulses at a rate of 19 per second. This rush of energy disrupts voluntary muscle control. It causes the target to experience strong, involuntary long muscle contractions.

Technology in these devices has changed significantly through various models. The first model for sale was the Taser Public Defender, which used gunpowder as a propellant. Because it used gunpowder, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms classified it as a firearm in 1976. Later, the 1994 Air Taser Model 34000 introduced an anti-felon identification (AFID) system. This system released small pieces of paper with a serial number to prevent criminal use. In 1999, the company released the Advanced Taser M-series, which used patented NMI technology. In 2003, the X26 model was released, utilizing shaped pulse technology.

The history of the Taser began with early research and specific inspirations. A 1966 patent by Kunio Shimizu described an electrical discharge gun with wire-connected projectiles. In 1969, NASA researcher Jack Cover began developing the first Taser. He completed the device by 1974. He named it "Taser," a loose acronym inspired by the 1911 novel *Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle*. This book was written by the Stratemeyer Syndicate under the pseudonym Victor Appleton. Cover chose the name because it followed the pattern of the word "laser." Both terms describe a device that fires a "beam" of energy.

Modern versions of the device offer advanced features and improved accuracy. The Taser 7, released in 2018, is a two-shot device. It uses spiral darts that spool from the dart itself rather than the cartridge. This change increases stability in flight and improves accuracy. The Taser 7 also features a 93% increased probe spread at close range. The most recent model, the Taser 10, was announced in January 2023. This model can reach targets up to 45 feet away. It also has a probe velocity of 205 feet per second. Unlike older models, the Taser 10 allows officers to deploy probes individually to create their own spread.

Safety is a major concern when using conducted energy devices. Certain groups of people face higher risks during use. These include children, pregnant women, the elderly, and very thin individuals. People with medical conditions like heart disease or those with pacemakers are also at higher risk. Experts suggest that total exposure to the electricity should not exceed 15 seconds. There are also secondary risks, such as uncontrolled falls from high places. The electricity can even ignite flammable substances like gasoline or hand sanitizer.