“Don’t tase me, bro.”
That plea was made famous by a protesting
college student caught on video during an arrest. It shows how familiar the
American public is with these relatively new weapons. The student in question even registered the
phrase as a trademark to promote a book and line of t-shirts.
We get many questions about “stun
guns” or “TASERS.” The use of these
weapons can provide a different twist to a story. But it’s confusing technology—I
just read a novel by one of my favorite authors where a “stun gun” was used to render
the victim unconscious. Doesn’t happen, folks. These devices are very painful
but they do not shock you into unconsciousness.
Do your research.
Less-lethal weapons like the
TASER are frequently used by law enforcement agencies to overcome suspect
resistance. They have saved the lives of officers and suspects alike. Agencies
equipped with TASERs have seen a significant decrease in officer and suspect
injuries. I often convinced a combative suspect to surrender merely by shining
the TASER’s red laser aiming dot on his chest.
TASER
(all caps) is a trademarked brand name of a specific electronic control device
(ECD). The acronym stands for Thomas A.
Swift Electric Rifle. While it is the
best known
