Taser

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The most commercially recognized brand of hand-held projectile electroshock stun gun is the Taser line of electroshock guns made by TASER International. The name Taser is an acronym: "Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle". It was designed in 1969 by Arizona inventor Jack Cover; he named it for the science-fiction teenage inventor and adventurer character Tom Swift (ref. the story Tom Swift and His Electric Rifle; or, Daring Adventures on Elephant Island).

Modern taser-type weapons fire small dart-like electrodes with attached metal wires that connect to the gun, propelled by small gas charges similar to some air rifle propellants. The maximum range is up to 10 meters (30 feet). Earlier models of Taser needed the dart-like electrodes to embed in the skin and superficial muscle tissues layers; newer versions of the projectiles use a shaped pulse / arc of electricity which disrupt nerve and muscle function without needing the metal prongs on the projectile to penetrate the skin. Early models had difficulty in penetrating thick clothing, but the `pulse' models are designed to bring down a subject wearing up to a Level III body armor vest.

Tasers are currently in use by a number of police forces world-wide to try to reduce lethal firearms-related deaths. However, there is controversy about tasers. They may not be considered lethal, but they have been known to cause death. Many civil liberty groups would like to see them banned.

See Electroshock gun for more information (principles of operation, controversies, etc).

See TASER_International#Wire-less long-range electric shock weapon for another weapon which they are developing.

External links

http://www.defensefromterror.com Images of tasers and other police kit

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