NCJ Number
139421
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 19 Issue: 10 Dated: (October 1992) Pages: 36-38,74-75
Date Published
1992
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Weapons that incapacitate persons without causing any long-term injury or damage are being increasingly used by police agencies, and the Taser from Tasertron of Newport Beach, Calif. is one example of such a weapon.
Abstract
Introduced in 1975, the Taser is subject to the same Federal regulations as handguns. It permits the police officer to maintain a distance of 10-15 feet and to temporarily incapacitate a person, who then can be taken into custody. Tasers are usually used on people with mental disorders or who are under the influence of drugs. Nonlethal weapons such as the Taser should not be used when the suspect is armed with a lethal device or is in a flammable or explosive atmosphere. They should be used when verbal techniques have failed, simple restraint is impractical, and the person is a threat to themselves or others. The Taser's electrical output is well below State and Federal safety levels, and it has been proven safe and effective by many studies. It does not always work, but it is useful as an alternative to deadly force. Photographs.