The truth about TASER

Debunking some of the most common myths about TASER energy weapons

Will a TASER energy weapon electrocute me? What actually IS a TASER weapon? How dangerous are TASER energy weapons really? What is the TRUTH about TASER?

The truth is: TASER energy weapons have been used to save more than 300,000 lives from death or serious bodily injury. TASER energy weapons have been used over 5 million times in the field, and in a study of 1,201 field cases of TASER energy weapon use, 99.75% resulted in no serious injury.*

TASER technology is one of the most studied, safe and effective means of quickly stopping a threat. So, why are there so many misconceptions and myths around TASER energy weapons? As with most topics shrouded in mystery, the misconceptions stem from a lack of understanding.

Below, learn the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions related to TASER energy weapons and better understand one of the less-lethal technologies that will be integral in helping to achieve our moonshot goal to cut gun-related deaths between police and the public by 50% in 10 years. See how TASER 10, our latest model, recently played a crucial role in avoiding an officer-involved shooting in Scottsdale.

Q: Is TASER an acronym?

A: Yes! TASER, an acronym for "Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle," was named by its inventor, Jack Cover, after a favorite book. Because it's an acronym, TASER is always capitalized and never pluralized. Additionally, TASER shouldn't be used as a verb; instead, it's correct to say someone experienced the effects of a TASER energy weapon.

Q: Do TASER energy weapons electrocute people?

A: No, TASER energy weapons do not electrocute subjects. TASER energy weapons use electrical current to temporarily incapacitate subjects by inducing neuromuscular incapacitation, or NMI. NMI is simple. When a TASER energy weapon is deployed and connects with the body, it sends a signal to your muscles telling them to flex. This is the same technology you see in off-the-shelf muscle stimulators used for rehab and muscle therapy. The amount of current actually delivered in this signal is extremely low, far below the amount needed to electrocute someone.

In fact, a single Christmas tree light bulb outputs more than 100 times more current than TASER energy weapons. (Light bulb = 156mA, X2/X26P = 1.2 mA, TASER 7 = 1.4 mA, TASER 10 = 1.5 mA)

Q: Do TASER energy weapons have long-term effects?

A: TASER energy weapons are designed to temporarily incapacitate a subject only as long as the electrical cycle, meaning the subject can recover immediately and most feel no residual side-effects. There are no known long-term effects from being exposed to a TASER energy weapon. This is significant given that there are more than 1,000 reports, abstracts, studies and reference materials on TASER energy weapons, in addition to approximately 5 million field deployments over 30 years.

Q: Will a TASER energy weapon stop my pacemaker?

A: TASER energy weapons work by circulating electrical current through a subject, causing temporary immobility. However, the level of current delivered is actually quite low, well below the level necessary to interfere with a pacemaker. In fact, pacemakers are required by regulation to withstand an AED shock, which has thousands of times more energy than a TASER energy weapon. So no, TASER energy weapons will not stop your pacemaker.**

Q: What makes electricity dangerous?

A: Contrary to popular belief, what makes electricity dangerous to humans doesn’t have much to do with voltage, but rather with current. When voltage passes through an object or subject at a very high current, that can be dangerous. TASER energy weapons use a relatively low current, which provides a reliable safety profile and allows them to be classified as less-lethal weapons.

Q: Ok so voltage isn’t as dangerous as current, but still, how many volts of electricity does a TASER energy weapon deliver?

A: Earlier TASER models, such as the TASER 7, X2 and X26P, can produce high amounts of electric charge. This charge is primarily used to create a visible arc of electricity, which acts as a deterrent without needing to deploy the weapon or to jump a clothing gap to make proper contact with a subject. In these models, less than 2,000 volts of electricity typically flow into a subject upon contact. This electricity flows at a very low current, in a precise waveform, ensuring a reliable cardiac safety profile. Additionally, the warning arc feature in these models allows for the “drive-stun” capability, which uses localized pain compliance by making direct contact with the skin.

The TASER 10, however, delivers less than 1,000 volts and does not have a warning arc or drive-stun capability. It requires probes to make direct contact with the skin and cannot jump an air gap. The TASER 10 relies on neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI), which causes temporary incapacitation through muscle contractions rather than localized pain compliance. This is safer for both the subject and the officer because it allows the officer to maintain distance, control the situation and even secure the subject while the TASER energy weapon is active. TASER 10 also features a Warning Alert, which emits a loud sound and activates a strobing flashlight, providing a deterrent without needing to deploy the weapon..

Q: Are TASER energy weapons and stun guns the same?

A: No, TASER energy weapons and stun guns are not the same. Stun guns work by inflicting localized pain through direct contact. When activated, a stun gun is pressed against an attacker, causing electricity to travel through their skin and deliver a sharp pain as long as the weapon remains in contact.

TASER energy weapons, on the other hand, deploy probes from a distance to induce neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI). Earlier models, such as the TASER 7, deploy two probes simultaneously, with one probe having negative polarity and the other having positive polarity to form a connection and induce NMI. The TASER 10 is different: it deploys probes individually, each capable of both negative and positive polarity. The weapon sends signals to the muscles between the probes, causing them to flex involuntarily and immobilize the subject for a 5-second cycle, which can be re-energized if needed. The weapon determines the most effective probes to send a current to, with no more than four connections active at once regardless of the number of probes deployed.

Additionally, while some TASER models can be used in both drive-stun and probe mode, probe mode is generally preferred because it is more effective in stopping a threat from a distance. The most current model, TASER 10, does not have drive-stun capabilities.

One of the most common misconceptions stems from the interchangeable use of stun gun technology and TASER technology in movies. To learn more about how Hollywood misrepresents TASER energy weapons and the truth behind their capabilities, check out “What Movies Get Wrong About TASER.”

Q: Do TASER energy weapons work better if they are deployed closer to a subject?

A: TASER deployments often happen in situations that are quickly changing and evolving, meaning that the user must adapt to real-world situations encountered by law enforcement. Officers may not always have the time to choose the optimal deployment range, so they must deploy the TASER energy weapon in the way that works best to resolve the situation while achieving the necessary probe spread for effective neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI).

When deploying a TASER energy weapon, it is recommended that probes be at least 12 inches apart to maximize the effects of NMI. The greater the distance between the probes, the more muscle mass is stimulated, generally resulting in more effective incapacitation.

The TASER 7, X2 and X26P models deploy two probes simultaneously at predefined angles. For these models, the closer the energy weapon is deployed to the subject, the less distance there will be between the probes by the time they contact the subject, which can result in only partial NMI.

The TASER 7 addresses this issue with its close quarters (CQ) cartridge, which is optimized for engagements as close as 4 feet. The TASER 10 further enhances targeting and increases the chances of achieving an adequate spread for total NMI by allowing the user to place individual probes from as close as point-blank range, instead of deploying two probes simultaneously at predefined angles.

Q: Is a TASER energy weapon more painful than pepper spray?

A: Pepper spray, or OC spray, works by spraying a chemical compound, causing temporary blindness. This spray effects the eyes, ears, nose, and throat and can cause burning and itchy eyes for a full 24 hours after exposure. In contrast, TASER energy weapon exposures are typically over in about 5 seconds and are not designed to result in lingering immobility or pain. However, exposure to a TASER energy weapon can be painful for individuals during that brief electrical cycle, so an exposure to a TASER energy weapon should be treated seriously. After exposure to a TASER energy weapon, it is recommended a subject be monitored for 20 minutes to ensure they are feeling well.

Q: Are TASER energy weapons used in other countries?

A: Law enforcement agencies in more than 80 countries and territories deploy TASER energy weapons. TASER energy weapons are a tool for resolving conflict with a less-lethal option, and have been used globally for over 30 years to save approximately 300,000+ lives from death or serious bodily injury in situations where lethal force would have been justified.

Q: Can you track TASER energy weapon usage?

A: TASER energy weapons are designed for safety, effectiveness, objective accountability and performance. All law enforcement and professional models released after 2011 are designed on an all-digital platform, allowing the energy weapon to provide objective analytics of use.

Unlike all other force options, the TASER energy weapon records event logs for every user action, including safety activation and trigger event duration with times and dates. Pulse logs also display an objective pulse-by-pulse record of delivered output. This information is recorded for safety and objective accountability.

Q: Can TASER energy weapons be energized for longer than their initial cycle?

A: TASER energy weapons are designed to incapacitate a subject long enough for law enforcement to secure the subject or for civilians to begin to move away from aggressors. However, TASER energy weapons can be used on a single subject for longer than the initial 5-second cycle where justified. A user can deploy a back-up cartridge to maximize probe spread and improve NMI effectiveness, or re-energize probes that have already made a successful connection when compliance is not yet achieved. Either scenario would incapacitate a subject for another electrical cycle or for as long as probes are re-energized. It is therefore imperative for both public safety and civilians to be trained on TASER best practices and follow any agency or state policies and laws that that guide TASER energy weapon use.

Q: Are TASER energy weapons legal for civilians to own?

A: TASER energy weapons are legal for civilian use in 49 of 50 U.S. states, with Rhode Island being the exception, though this has been challenged in court. Specific civilian models, such as the TASER Bolt 2 and TASER Pulse, are designed to incapacitate attackers for longer periods, allowing civilians to distance themselves from threats.

NOTE: Axon is not providing legal advice. Rules and restrictions around the sale and possession of TASER energy weapons vary by state. Before purchasing or possessing a TASER energy weapon, be sure to review all local laws in your state. For more information, please visit taser.com/pages/state-requirements

Q: Are law enforcement and civilian TASER energy weapons the same?

A: At the end of the day, all TASER energy weapons are designed to induce neuromuscular incapacitation, or NMI, but law enforcement and civilian weapons often have some differences. When a member of law enforcement deploys a TASER energy weapon, it is intended to incapacitate a threat momentarily to give the officer a chance to secure the threat. For that reason, the standard cycle of law enforcement TASER energy weapons is 5 seconds of electric current. For a civilian, the goal of deploying a TASER energy weapon is often to fend off an attacker long enough to get to safety. For that reason, many civilian TASER energy weapons are more compact, discrete, and have a 30-second cycle of electric current. Some civilian models even connect to Bluetooth and can dispatch emergency service when needed. So no, law enforcement and civilian TASER energy weapons are not the same because they each serve unique and important purposes.

Q: Are TASER energy weapons intended for one time use?

A: Most TASER energy weapons, both civilian and law enforcement models, have a 5-year recommended useful life. When a TASER energy weapon is deployed, the used cartridge is discarded, but the TASER energy weapon can be reloaded with a new cartridge and deployed again. Sometimes, when an individual deploys their civilian TASER energy weapon, they may need to drop the weapon and run. In many cases, if you leave behind a non-professional series TASER energy weapon after deploying in self-defense, it will be replaced, free of charge.

For more information on civilian TASER energy weapons and replacement programs, please visit taser.com.

*Safety and Injury Profile of Conducted Electrical Weapons Used by Law Enforcement Officers Against Criminal Suspects. Annals of Emer Med (2008) 53: 480-489.

**Kroll, M.W., Brave, M.A., Pratt, H.M.O. et al. Benefits, Risks and Myths of TASER Handheld Electrical Weapons. Hum Factors Mech Eng Def Saf 3, 7 (2019).

TASER, TASER 7, TASER 10, X2, X26P, Bolt 2, Pulse and Pulse+ are trademarks of Axon Enterprise, Inc., some of which are registered in the United States and other countries. For more information, visit axon.com/legal. All rights reserved. © 2024 Axon Enterprise, Inc.