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SHOT, CHANGED
The non-lethal weapon of choice for law enforcement, the taser fires a powerful electrical pulse that immobilizes the target. The current is transmitted by two probes, which are at the tip of the pistol, in a cartridge. They are expelled by a cylinder of gas (usually nitrogen). The cartridge is usually disposable: you used it, you have to remove it and fit another one.
NEEDLE IN BULLET
Launched at 35 km/h, the probes have an average range of 6 m. The conductive tips are either steel with a skewer or a barbed surface, and both must hit the target to activate the circuit. The electrical charge can pass through up to 5 cm of tissue. Some versions of the taser have extra probes for re-firing.
ONLY IN PRESSURE
The firing system is hydraulic, like that of a BB gun. When the cartridge is fitted, the pressure to place it releases the gas for firing, cocking the mechanism. When the trigger is pressed, the gas violently expels the two probes. The electrical pulse can be triggered each time the trigger is pulled.
SHOCKING!
The electrical pulse sent by the wires to the probes originates in a generator. It has a digital processor that controls the intensity, keeping the charge within non-lethal parameters. On average, after contact, the emission of the pulse lasts approximately 5 seconds and the charge is 50,000 volts, causing a strong muscle contraction in the victim.
Curiosities:
– Some models have a dataport, which records the date and time of the shots. And the wires are labeled with the cartridge serial number.
– The M18L model, used in this article, requires eight AA batteries in the handle.
– The price of a gun with two cartridges varies between US$ 350 and US$ 600. But each new cartridge costs an additional US$ 30.
CONSULTANCY: Jeff Kukowski, Marketing Team at Taser International