Highest legal stun gun voltage

The stun gun and TASER gun have emerged as popular devices for personal safety. Even after being named “guns”, most of these units are non-lethal units. The user gets a safer option to immobilize an attacker by keeping a safe distance. This article discusses every detail related to the stun and TASER guns. It also includes some major differences between the two devices. With this information, users can buy an ideal option to improve their personal safety.

A: Most TASER energy devices have a 5-year recommended useful life. When a TASER energy device is deployed, the used cartridge is discarded, but the TASER energy device can be reloaded with a new cartridge and deployed again.

When the user pulls the trigger, the compressed gas cartridge opens. The expansion of gas further builds pressure for the electrodes to shoot them at the target. When the electrodes hit the target, the connected wires allow the flow of electrical current toward the target’s body. The voltage difference caused by transformers and capacitors is high enough to shock the target. Attacking the muscles and nervous system of the person, they get immobilized quickly.

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“TASER [energy devices] undoubtedly provid[e] safer outcomes for police, the public – and the subject,” comments Superintendent Chris Scahill, National Manager of Police Response and Operation, New Zealand [6]. In fact, zero subject injuries were recorded from 212 uses of TASER energy devices in a New Zealand study [7].

A: When a TASER energy device is deployed, 2 probes are released from the weapon at a pre-determined angle. When these probes make contact with a subject, the area between the 2 probes will receive the signal to flex.

To choose the best self-defense device, users must consider certain factors. Both guns have a different range which becomes crucial while shooting the attacker. The gun must be reliable and durable to give constant output over years of use. It must be easy to use and provide simple reloading of cartridges. Besides this, the budget factor is also a selling point. The gun must offer better features for people with a limited budget.

The reliability factor is considered an important parameter for both stun and TASER guns. If the target is missing, the gun must offer another electrical charge to ensure maximum safety. The stun guns are reusable since the electrodes do not need replacement. TASER guns need to be reloaded with cartridges, wires, and electrodes before shooting again.

Let’s look at some of the most frequently asked questions related to TASER energy devices and better understand a less-lethal technology that has been integral in saving more than 275,000 lives from death or serious bodily injury.

TASER, TASER 7, 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. © 2023 Axon Enterprise, Inc

Both these guns work on pretty much the same principle of immobilizing an attacker via electrical shock. The stun gun is a close-contact unit while the TASER gun comes under the projectile weapon tag. The majority of people confuse both these guns as the same gun which is false. To understand how both guns differ from each other, this article includes a detailed explanation related to these weapons.

The TASER gun gets the upper hand when it comes to the range of the weapon. Being a projectile weapon, this gun can shoot from 15 to 35 ft, depending on the model. On the other hand, a stun device is effective only when the prongs touch the attacker’s body. The range is thereby approximately 0 ft for this gun. Users have to press the prongs on the attacker’s body for maximum effect.

A: TASER energy devices 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 devices 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 maximise probe spread and improve NMI effectiveness, or re-energise 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-energised. 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 device use.

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 device 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 device can be painful for individuals during that brief electrical cycle, so an exposure to a TASER energy device should be treated seriously. After exposure to a TASER energy device, it is recommended a subject be monitored for 20 minutes to ensure they are feeling well.

To deliver the shock to an attacker, the gun has to be in direct contact with the person, thereby jeopardizing the user’s safety. These guns are also ineffective against people under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The prongs of these guns are fixed to the body, which eliminates the need to replace them on every use.

How doesa Taser feel

Unlike all other force options, the TASER energy device 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 electrical output. This information is recorded for safety and objective accountability. TASER logs can be ingested into Axon Evidence and linked to evidence files and BWV footage to create a more comprehensive view of an incident for investigation purposes.

The construction of a TASER gun is similar to that of a stun device with the addition and modification of certain components. It also consists of a battery, a trigger, and an amplification circuit. The prongs or electrodes are modified by connecting them with conductive wires and a compressed-gas cartridge. It also has a compartment for storing multiple electrodes and cartridges to shoot more than one time. A separate set of prongs is also provided to use the TASER gun as a stun device.

The stun devices are suitable for civilians who can carry small weapons into their pockets. It is also cheaper than the TASER gun, making it accessible to more consumers. The TASER guns are suitable for the application involving a certain distance against the attackers. The extended range is safe for the user, and several law enforcement agencies use TASER guns against violent attackers.

No, in many cases, drawing and displaying a TASER energy device without an actual deployment is sufficient to safely resolve a situation. A UK police study showed that in 81% of cases, simply displaying a TASER energy device was enough to gain compliance from a subject and de-escalate the incident [8]. The figures rose to 88% of subjects surrendering after a TASER was displayed in Finland [9] and 93% in Ontario, Canada [10]. This intervening step helps offer a layer of protection in dangerous situations to de-escalate. “It can be seen that the use of the TASER [energy device] prevented police officers from having to use more force on dozens of occasions,” noted a report on pilot deployments in Central, East, and North Netherlands, as well as Rotterdam, the Netherlands [11].

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 devices use a relatively low current, which provides a reliable safety profile and allows them to be classified as less-lethal weapons.

A: No, TASER energy devices and stun guns are not the same. With the average stun gun, the weapon works by inflicting localized pain to discourage a particular behavior. The weapon is turned on and driven into an attacker (drive-stun), allowing electricity to travel through their outer layer of skin and deliver a sharp pain for as long as the weapon is held in contact with the exposed area.

So, the closer you deploy a TASER energy device to a subject, the less distance there will be between the probes. This means there is less muscle mass to stimulate, generally resulting in lower NMI. It is recommended that the probes be at least 12 inches apart to have the greatest potential for NMI. Different TASER energy devices deploy probes at different angles.

The TASER gun is actually a trademarked name for Tom A. Swift Electric Rifle, a rifle-shaped defense gun. It is designed in a way to act like a firearm along with a trigger. The TASER gun works on the principle of shooting projectiles to immobilize the attacker via electrical shock. It is mostly used by law enforcement agencies while some models are developed for personal use.

Here, the current is further boosted with the help of transformers and then sent to the capacitors for storage. The prongs or electrodes are placed at the end of the circuit with a gap between them. The gap creates a voltage difference between the prongs. Whenever the human body comes in contact with these two prongs, it acts like a conductor for the current to balance the voltage difference. As a result, current passes through the body, and the person experiences an article shock of 1,500 to 20,000 volts or even above this range.

Comparing both guns, the stun gun seems easier to use. It is user-friendly and does not need any target practice. The TASER gun requires good shooting skills to ensure the prongs are correctly attached to the attacker. In case of multiple shots, the user also has to reload the TASER gun. The user can simply click the trigger for multiple shocks for a stun gun.

A: TASER energy devices 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 devices. So no, TASER energy devices will not stop a pacemaker.*

Howdotasers workdiagram

Ans: The electrodes at the end of the stun device have a pointy shape. Upon shooting, the pointy edges can puncture the person’s skin. The wounds caused by this gun are minor and usually do not go deep. Projectiles from a TASER gun can cause more damage since the electrodes are shot at higher velocities.

Ans: Stu guns are designed to deliver an electrical shock at close proximity. Its effectiveness on clothes is dependent on the thickness of the clothing. These guns can easily transfer current via thin clothes. A thick layer of clothing restricts the transfer of current, reducing the shock’s overall impact.

The stun gun is a hand-held defense weapon that produces an electrical shock to immobilize an attacker’s movements. It features a set of two or more prongs at the end of the body where a high-voltage electrical current runs continuously. In the condition of direct contact with these prongs, the receiver gets a pulsating electrical shock that attacks their muscles. The attacker experiences spasms in their muscles along with an imbalanced body and mental state.

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A: TASER energy devices 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 device. This is significant given that there are more than 850 reports, abstracts, studies and reference materials on TASER energy devices, in addition to approximately 5 million field deployments over 25 years.

“Officers deserve the protection it [TASER] affords them,” says Simon Chesterman, the Armed Policing Lead for the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) in the UK [3].

Likewise, TASER energy devices result in safer outcomes for subjects as well. Seattle Police Department in the United States reported a 48% reduction in suspect injury in use of force incidents following the introduction of TASER energy devices [4]. In France, there was a 15% decrease in lethal force firearm usage against suspects in volatile situations [5].

TASER self defense

Note that some TASER energy devices can be used in both drive-stun and probe mode, but probe mode is preferred because it is much more effective in stopping a threat.

Ans: The TASER guns developed for law enforcement agencies like Police are of higher specifications. The unit is modified to deliver a voltage output of over 40,000 to 50,000 volts. These levels of voltage are essential since Police have to face a number of risky individuals. The higher voltage also assures that current will flow through the wires against the air resistance.

Are there ways of ensuring that a TASER energy device deployment is captured on body-worn video (BWV) camera for greater transparency? Can you track TASER energy device usage?

Being a defense weapon, both stun and TASER guns are classified as registered units. Users need a license to carry and use these guns in certain countries. The civilian models of these guns are sold to the licensed person only. According to their region’s law, Users are advised to check the allowed specifications of stun and TASER guns for civilians.

Stun gun vs Taser

TASER energy devices use electrical current to induce neuromuscular incapacitation. When a TASER energy device is deployed at a distance, 2 probes are released from the weapon. When both of these probes enter a subject, a circuit is created. Basically, we send a signal to all the muscles in between the 2 probes telling them to flex. For these few seconds, the subject is not controlling these muscles, and thus they become immobilised. This is the same technology you see in off-the-shelf muscle stimulators used for rehab and muscle therapy.

Compared to a stun gun, the TASER gun has the advantage of extended range since it does not need close contact with the attacker. The user can simply shoot the charged electrodes which are connected to the gun via two wires. When the circuit between the two wires is completed, the user gets an electrical shock. The electrodes of a TASER gun thereby need the replacement of the cartridge before shooting again.

Both stun and TASER guns cause pain to the shot person. The electrical shock feels like a string except the shock intensifies and makes them numb. Since the electrodes are shot as a projectile from the TASER guns, the person will feel more impact. Hence, a TASER gun will cause more pain at the point of contact, compared to the stun gun.

Ans: The stun guns are effective when used in sensitive parts of the human body. Electrical shock in these areas causes numbness and immobility to the user. Users can use this gun on the neck, groin, thighs, elbow, underarms, stomach, etc., quite sensitive areas. The sensitive area of the human body has a lot of nerves that an electrical shock can numb.

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

Front-line police deserve to be protected by equipment that not only protects them, but the public too. This was the vision behind TASER energy devices, less-lethal devices that were designed and created to make the world a safer place. With over 850 reports, abstracts, letters, studies, and resource materials, and more than 5 million field deployments in nearly 30 years, TASER energy devices are proven to be the most safe and effective less-lethal tool on an officer’s belt.

Before discussing the working of this gun, we must understand its construction. It consists of a small hand-held body in which several components are housed. It uses batteries as a power source to supply the required current to the voltage-amplifying circuit, switches, and prongs. Electrical current travels from the battery to the amplifying circuit whenever the user presses the switch.

*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 energy devices offer a less-lethal, intermediate force option in dangerous situations. Proven to be safer than other uses of force, including firearms, baton strikes, punches, and kicks [see graph below], TASER energy devices give officers a reliable tool on their belt. In Orlando, Florida, police found a 50% decrease in attacks on officers after the introduction of TASER energy devices [1], and Queensland Police Service in Australia found a 40% reduction in officer assaults following the introduction of TASER energy devices [2].

How doesa Taserworkon the body

Furthermore, law enforcement and professional TASER energy device models released after 2011 are designed on an all-digital platform, allowing the energy weapon to provide objective analytics of use.

Self-defense devices have recently gained popularity as a measure to prevent harmful attacks against individuals. People have been opting out for several safety weapons which include both lethal and non-lethal units. Lethal weapons carry a lot of risk of being fatal to others. This is why non-lethal weapons are a good choice for personal defense. Stun guns and TASER guns are some of the most popular self-defense weapons.

TASER energy devices are designed for safety, effectiveness, objective accountability and performance. As deploying a TASER energy device constitutes a use of force, documentation is important to assess proper usage. With Signal technology enabled, drawing a TASER energy device sends an alert to an Axon body-worn video camera to start recording to ensure the incident is captured.

Several brands develop and manufacture stun units. Users get a wider range of models of these guns along with different specifications. Some popular brands like Vipertak, Sabre, etc. are known for their reliable stun devices. TASER guns are exclusively produced by Axon Inc. The guns have in fact become a popular name amongst self-defense weapons.

In terms of overall size, the stun device is smaller compared to the TASER guns. The presence of fewer components contributes to its compact design. The TASER guns are larger in size with added weight. The dimensions are long to accommodate additional components like cartridge chamber and wire storage. The smallest versions of TASER guns are also available yet the stun unit is more compact and easy to transport.

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

The stun guns are priced lower than the TASER guns due to several factors. The components used in these guns help in keeping their overall price lower. The TASER gun has a larger body equipped with more components. Besides this, the TASER gun also has operational costs like replacing the cartridges. Both guns do have replaceable batteries which add to the operational costs.

A: No, TASER energy devices do not electrocute subjects. TASER energy devices use electrical current to temporarily incapacitate subjects by inducing neuromuscular incapacitation, or NMI. NMI is simple. Basically, TASER energy devices send 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.

Can a taser kill you

A: Less than 2,000 volts of electricity typically flow into a subject when a TASER energy device makes a connection. And this electricity flows at a very low current, in a precise waveform, which is why TASER energy devices are tested and proven to have a reliable cardiac safety profile.

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 devices? As with most topics shrouded in mystery, the misconceptions stem from a lack of understanding.