Police Chief Gets Tasered For Donations

Small town police forces have a hard time soliciting funds for needed equipment. Take for example Police Chief Danny Baker from Knighstown, a small eastern Indiana town. Funds were needed. So did he try a spaghetti dinner? No. How about a small carnival? Nope. Chief Baker recently agreed to be shot by a X26 Taser for donations.

What’s need is a lease on a new squad car. And the deed has been done. The chief says he raised $800.79 in cash and received a $25,000 pledge from a Texas company.  He says the feeling of being hit by 50,000 volts of low amperage electricity is like someone hitting him on the back of the head repeatedly as hard as they possibly could.

Chief Baker had two fellow police officers support him during the Taser hit. Even though Tasers were designed to be non-lethal, several instances of death have occurred. Taser International reminds operators to hit in the lower chest away from the heart or on the back. Also, if the perpetrator is highly stimulated and out of control, do not administer the Taser repeatedly.

You can find out more about the consumer version called the TASER X26c here.

New TASER® X26C On Sale Now

After an anxious wait, TASER International has finally released the consumer version of the police model X26. The TASER X26C carries over many of the sophisticated features found on the police model. The device delivers 50,000 volts delivered through two fine wires that attach to the attacker by two projected darts. You can shoot up to 15 feet away. The TASER X26C actually comes as a complete kit with carrying case, 6 dart cartridges and a lithium power magazine good for 150 10 second firings. There is a digital readout of remaining battery life.

Although extremely powerful and effective, the Electronic Control Device is lightweight and easy to handle. It comes with a target practice also. You can buy the TASER X26C at authorized TASER® dealers only.

TASER® And The Models

The TASER® is a type of stun gun that rapidly takes down an assailant with almost 100% effectiveness. It does this by sending two darts to the target. These probes are attached to the gun by two thin electrical wires. When the user presses the trigger, the probes rapidly fire and send an electrical charge through the wires. The perpetrator goes down quickly with almost 100% effectiveness. The product works by overwhelming a person's sensory and motor functions. When used responsibly, the product is safe with a low incidence of injury.

Note: TASER International prefers the term Electronic Control Device (ECD) to describe the TASER. Many people, including members of the media, often confuse the terms "stun gun" and "TASER").

TASER® began as a company in 1993 and focused on citizen models to deter personal assaults. In 1999, the company brought to the market the M series TASER models which fine tuned the electrical pulse to more effectively incapacitate the target's neuromuscular system. The Advanced TASER M26 (26 watt) model became the first successful ergonomically shaped device to find favor with law enforcement personnel. These and others involved with security found that an aggressive and uncooperative individual could often be subdued and apprehended without the incident escalating to a lethal force situation. Cartridge ranges are available up to 35 feet.

Citizens concerned with personal safety were offered their own M version, the M18 (18 watts). Although not quite as sophisticated or powerful as the police model, the TASER M18 was a successful product. The M-18 was sold without a laser sight, the M-18L included the aiming aid. The device was powered by eight AA batteries with a maximum firing range of 15 feet.

In 2003, the company released the X-26 model. This police model is 60% smaller in size and weight than the M-26. To accomplish this, TASER engineers managed to re-shape the pulse wave so the gun required less power to operate. While the M-26 needed 26 watts of power, the X-26 needs only 5 watts. This "shaped pulse" technology is 25% more effective than the M-26 and better penetrates clothing. The unit requires a lithium power pack. Police departments laud the seven ounce weight that make carrying the unit in its holster much more comfortable than the previous model. Among the advanced features are a Central Information Display (CID) which indicates countdown timer during an activation, battery level and warranty information. A strong night time light has been integrated into the unit.

TASER International claims that 11,000 law enforcement agencies worldwide use TASER devices. But the company hasn't forgotten the individual consumer. The TASER® C2™ is a newer model designed specifically with the female user in mind. The model is stylishly ergonomic making it easier to hold by even small hands. The C2 shoots up to 15 feet and uses a lithium power pack that the company claims is good for 50 firings. The TASER C2 is available in five colors at a lower price than any previous model.

What's new for TASER International? The company is concentrating on audio-video surveillance products. It has been marketing the TASER® CAM™ as an attachment to the TASER X-26. It can record audio and video as the officer sees it. The new TASER®™ Axion™ is a stand-alone audio video system that an officer can wear while discharging his duties. It fits around the head and records the officers view of his surroundings. The company says that law enforcement officers constantly face false allegations and complaints that question their integrity and honor. TASER says that the officer will now have the ability to show administrators and even jurors exactly what he or she saw.

As TASER International fazes out its M-18 consumer line, the newest citizen model X26C takes its place.* Designed around the X-26 police model, the X-26C shares many of its design features. The consumer model comes in choices of yellow, black and clear body parts. The model uses cartridges that shoot up to 15 feet and uses the X-26 long life powering system. It also borrows the Central Information Display and the night light from the police model. This model is as much an advance from the M-18 as the X-28 from the M-26.

TASER devices are not considered firearms by the US Government. They can be legally carried (concealed or open) without a permit required in 43 states. Prohibited citizen use in DC, HI, MA, MI, NJ, NY, RI, WI, IL certain cities and counties. CT require a valid firearm license. Make sure you check local laws before purchasing or carrying electronic control devices including stun guns.

*X-26C TASER® should be in stock shortly.

Police Take Aim For More Stun Guns

That was the headline in a recent Edmonton Sun newspaper article. It reports a Canadian police agency's view that conducted energy weapons are not harmful and cannot be traced to any death. Here is the article in part:


Police groups want to arm more officers with stun guns while opposition MPs renew calls to restrict use of the controversial weapons.

The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and the Canadian Police Association appeared in Ottawa yesterday to convince the public stun guns are essential tools that save lives.

"We are here to address the inaccurate and incomplete information that is circulating in the public related to the use of conducted energy weapons by police," said Thomas Kaye, vice-president of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.

"There is no evidence, either scientific or medical, that a conducted energy weapon has been the direct cause of death anywhere, at any time, on any person."


Our view:

We don't have the oversight that a police bureau would have in assessing stun gun and TASER usage and their effects. We can make the following points:

1. The media often confuses stun guns and TASERs as though they are one. Stun guns must be administered directly to a person's skin or clothing to be effective. TASERs emit two darts on tethered electrified wires that attaches on to a person's clothing or skin from a distance of 15-25 feet, depending on the model. Both emit a similar low amperage high voltage charge. It is the low amperage that makes these non-lethal and allows the general public to buy TASERs for self-defense.

2. In the highly charged atmosphere of a police-perpetrator encounter, adrenaline flows are high. This results in occasional over-zealous use of weaponry, both in firearms and so called non-lethal weapons such as stun guns, TASER and pepper spray. To think otherwise is not realistic.

3. In this same charged atmosphere, the perpetrator is sometimes agitated and out-of-control, high on stimulant drugs or sometimes simply delusional and acting wildly and inappropriately. This makes that person more susceptible to medical emergencies of the heart and nervous system when these conducted energy weapons are applied.

4. Any impartial reading of the data suggests one conclusion: TASERs have gained overwhelming acceptance in the western world's police agencies. It is the preferred alternative to lethal force in subduing an out-of-control suspect in many situations. Like anything, it not not 100% safe in all conditions. It must be used with restraint and with good judgment.

Up Close Review: M18L Advanced Taser

The Taser M18L Advanced Taser is a popular consumer model produced by Taser International. This model sports a laser sight to help with aim. (You can buy this model without the laser sight in the Advanced Taser M18.) The M18L package includes four cartridges, a battery pack (4 x 1.5 volt AA), an operating manual, a practice target poster and Citizen Training CD. It comes housed in a hard black poly case with integrated handle. It is made in the US. There is a 30 day money back guarantee, 90 day product warranty, and a lifetime replacement warranty if it is left activated next to an assailant.

First, let’s clear some misconceptions. A stun gun is a “contact” device meaning the contacts must be applied directly to the perpetrator to be effective. This model can function as a contact stun gun with or without a cartridge. But that is only a backup feature. A Taser is a device that when activated propels two small probes attached to insulated electrical wires. These attach to an attacker’s clothing or skin. The device sends electrical pulses through the wires that disrupt the motor and sensory systems. This incapacitates the subject allowing time to flee.

The Taser has gained wide law enforcement acceptance throughout the world. Injuries are much less than with firearms. Effects are temporary. The device is not without its detractors but is relatively safe when used in a responsible manner. It is virtually impossible for even an out-of-control perpetrator to over-ride the effects.

The Taser M18, unlike most stun guns, actually looks like gun. The high impact black polycarbonate gun is set off with a mid gun yellow accent. The safety switch has a lock and armed position. The dimensions with cartridge are 8.30” long, 6” high and 1.75” wide. It weighs 19.2 ounces without the cartridge. It has a battery LED indicator. There is a molded mechanical sight it addition to the laser sight. The M18L has a range of fifteen feet.

Depressing and releasing the trigger will result in a five-second discharge unless the safety switch is moved to the down (SAFE) position. Holding the trigger switch for more than 5 seconds will result in a continuous discharge until the trigger switch is released, or until the batteries are depleted. Normally, aim the laser of the device at one of the large muscle groups (center of mass) such as the torso or thigh areas.

The Taser M18L Advanced Taser retails for $599.00 (Stun Gun Supply may be offering a discount). A model with two cartridges and without the laser site sells for $399.00. The latest model is the Taser C2 which comes in eight colors as well as black. This sleek model has a smaller profile than the M18 and appeals to women with smaller hands. Pricing starts at $299.00 (Stun Guns Supply may be offering a discount). The Taser X-26C is also available direct to consumers but the high price limits acceptability. Tasers are not legal in all states and municipalities so check this before ordering one.