What's new

Tasers? Would like LEOs opinions

rabbgp

Savor
Rating - 100%
42   0   0
Joined
Feb 25, 2008
Messages
4,053
Location
Phoenix, AZ
My wife or daughters would NEVER consider carrying a firearm but might consider a TASER. I would love some of the police officers here to offer opinions pro or con on owning a Taser for self protection.
 

Angry Bill

2x BoM, BoY '08
Staff member
Rating - 100%
201   0   0
Joined
Nov 6, 2007
Messages
11,938
Location
San Fernando Valley, CA
Not sure you could get a taser, since it fires a dart and then uses electrical stimulation. A stun gun is a nice option though, when it hits the target with 50,000 volts. But, you have to be within arms reach.
 

jwintosh

BoM June 07
Rating - 100%
356   0   0
Joined
Oct 31, 2006
Messages
17,256
Location
San Diego
the only problem with a tazer is that it doesn't always work. you have to get both darts on target and they both have to stick. if you are in a life/death situation, you probably will want something more...
 

sportsmedjosh

CRA Member: 211528
Rating - 100%
18   0   0
Joined
Oct 31, 2008
Messages
1,440
Location
College Station, Tx
Taser makes a civilian model of the X26 called the X26c it's pretty much the same thing however the distance the darts cans shoot is reduced to 15 feet. I believe it also shoots out little identifying tags from the cartridge so they can trace who actually shot it. The nice thing about tasers is that they can be used as stun guns as well. I don't believe there are any restrictions for carrying them in AZ as long as you are 18. They are also around $1,000
 

Angry Bill

2x BoM, BoY '08
Staff member
Rating - 100%
201   0   0
Joined
Nov 6, 2007
Messages
11,938
Location
San Fernando Valley, CA
And remember, in an emergency, jsut having something does mean that it is going to work or be used. Please react to stress differently. Without training, any weapon is useless.
 

rabbgp

Savor
Rating - 100%
42   0   0
Joined
Feb 25, 2008
Messages
4,053
Location
Phoenix, AZ
And remember, in an emergency, jsut having something does mean that it is going to work or be used. Please react to stress differently. Without training, any weapon is useless.
If we go this route we would absolutly get training first. (I'm thinking the neighbors cat :grin:)
 

Mitch

BOM 2/09-Keeper BOTtLe
Rating - 100%
133   0   0
Joined
May 8, 2008
Messages
2,500
Location
Ft. Lauderdale Florida
I'm not a fan of these at all. They are a good option between a physical fight and deadly force for a cop, but unless you have the back up plan of a firearm you are screwed. Cops mostly use this as an alternative to wrestling and cuffing bad guys, not for defense.

For the most part the laws that would allow you to use it would also allow you to use a firearm so you don't get to use it for less than deadly force encounters. If you face deadly force it isn't very good at it. Short range, one or two shots at best, if they are wearing thick close or can grab something to use as a shield the electric charge will never get to it's target even if the barbed darts hit.

In short it's like pepper spray and stun guns it may talk a bad guy out of an encounter or at least help them to pick a different target, but it's not a defensive tool of any great use.

My advice is if you can talk them into a firearm, great, if not get them a fair sized can of pepper spary foam which has just as much range and lots more shots.
 
Rating - 100%
15   0   0
Joined
Jan 16, 2009
Messages
126
Location
Southern Illinois
The Taser is one of the items that I believe must be on my duty belt. There are a lot of good comments above ... Mitch makes a good point and has a wealth of experience. The back up plan is one that you must have.
I was involved with a taser deployment and subsequent shooting (my Sgt was the the shooter). The bad guy had on a letterman's jacket with leather sleeves and thick wool - the taser failed to penetrate the thick wool and the bad guy pulled a gun ... my Sgt was faster. The point I'm making is that they do fail ... so be prepared for that senario.

A taser over a stun gun gives you distance - and that's a good thing.

If you do decide to have your family carry one - get trained, have a back up plan and be prepared.

later, and stay safe.
 

Mitch

BOM 2/09-Keeper BOTtLe
Rating - 100%
133   0   0
Joined
May 8, 2008
Messages
2,500
Location
Ft. Lauderdale Florida
Don't get me wrong, I like them on a duty belt for a cop, I hope I didn't make it sound like I didn't. I just don't think they belong as a civilians sole weapon and training.
 
Top