The Taser and how it works

 

When used in firing mode, the X26 fire two probes up to a distance of 21 feet.  They are programmed to deploy five-second bursts of electricity, although the charge can be prolonged indefinitely if the operator’s finger remains on the trigger.  The probes are attached to copper wires, which remain connected to the weapon.  The shock can be repeated countless times, so long as both probes remain attached to the subject.  The X26 contains a cartridge of compressed nitrogen that fire the probes, and which must be reloaded every time the officer wants to fire. It has laser sights for accurate targeting and a built-in memory to record the time and date of each firing.  It operates on 26 watts of electric output and delivers a 50,000-volt shock, which is designed to override the subject’s central nervous system, causing uncontrollable contraction of the muscle tissue and instant collapse. 

 

 

 

 

When used in firing mode, the X26 fire two probes up to a distance of 21 feet.  They are programmed to deploy five-second bursts of electricity, although the charge can be prolonged indefinitely if the operator’s finger remains on the trigger.  The probes are attached to copper wires, which remain connected to the weapon.  The shock can be repeated countless times, so long as both probes remain attached to the subject.  The X26 contains a cartridge of compressed nitrogen that fire the probes, and which must be reloaded every time the officer wants to fire. It has laser sights for accurate targeting and a built-in memory to record the time and date of each firing.  It operates on 26 watts of electric output and delivers a 50,000-volt shock, which is designed to override the subject’s central nervous system, causing uncontrollable contraction of the muscle tissue and instant collapse. 

 

 

 

 



Introduction

The Canadian Police force have reportedly used taser on a senior who tried to dodge a parking ticket, a balky teenage girl in a jail cell, a heart patient in the hospital, and other unarmed people (The star, 2013), to mention but a few. Though better than shooting a gun, Tasers can still be very deadly to people who are highly agitated, or if someone is continuously or repeatedly jolted. Some people have not been able to withstand the incapacitating shock emanating from the taser when fired and die instantly or a few days later, while some others have been fortunate enough to survive it. Incidents like these were what drew my attention to this topic.

 

Although Taser International, the Arizona based company that manufactures these Tasers claim on their website that the use of Tasers have saved close to 125,470 lives till date, at least 500 people in the US alone since 2001 have died after being shocked with Tasers either during their arrest or while in jail (Amnesty International, 2012). While across Canada 25 people have died as of 2013. This goes a long way to show that the use of Tasers by law enforcement agencies in general, and by the police in particular, is and will continue to be the most controversial issue in the area of criminal justice policy. The law enforcement agencies will strongly argue that Tasers are a non-deadly option that allows them to disable suspects without having to be close enough to touch them, as required with a stun gun or baton. It is also a known fact that tasers are an effective means of self-defence, especially when someone threatens them with a knife or other weapon.  Nevertheless, some people still think the idea of using a Taser is just a deliberate act to cause the attacker pain and they are used too quickly and unnecessarily by overeager police officers.

 

 

 

In subsequent posts, we would try to find justifications in the growing reliance on tasers by many law enforcement officers in Canada who assert "Increased violence and lack of respect for the authority" by these victims as the basis. Comparison would be made on the use of Tasers in Canada and the International community and perhaps borrow a leaf from them.  We can do this together, just hang in there and will be back shortly.