Taser

A taser is an electroshock weapon sold by Taser International. It uses electrical current to disrupt voluntary control of muscles causing "neuromuscular incapacitation". Someone struck by a Taser experiences stimulation of his or her sensory nerves and motor nerves, resulting in strong involuntary muscle contractions. Tasers do not rely only on pain compliance, except when used in Drive Stun mode, and are thus preferred by some law enforcement over non-Taser stun guns and other electronic control weapons. There are two main police models, the M26 and X26. Both come with accessories including a laser sight and optional mounted digital video camera that can record in low-light situations. Taser International sells a civilian model called the C2. On 27 July 2009, Taser introduced the X3, capable of firing three times without reload.

Tasers were introduced as non-lethal weapons to be used by police to subdue fleeing, belligerent, or potentially dangerous people, who would have otherwise been subjected to more lethal weapons such as a firearm. A 2009 Police Executive Research Forum study said that officer injuries drop by 76% when a Taser is used. However, while Taser CEO Rick Smith has stated that police surveys show that the device has saved 75,000 lives, there has been some controversy over several incidents where Taser was implicated in instances of serious injury or death. Following concerns that the use of Tasers could be abused, Taser International has rolled out its latest product, Axon. Designed as a video surveillance system that records police officer response calls, the Axon system is meant to give people a first hand view of what an officer sees and encounters while in the line of duty. Taser claims that the new Axon product “has an effect on the conduct of suspects and officers alike,” and that “From a liability standpoint, the video you capture often saves you against claims down the road.”