New technology sparks curiosity, and sharing accurate information is key to supporting public safety and informed decision-making. TASER energy weapons have been around for decades, helping both law enforcement and civilians handle dangerous situations with a less-lethal alternative. But despite their proven track record, myths persist.
Will a TASER energy weapon electrocute someone? Are they more painful than other force options? How do they actually work? Let’s set the record straight.
TASER energy weapons are among law enforcement's most studied use-of-force tools. They are designed with effectiveness, reliability, and safety in mind. Below, we’ll address common misconceptions, explain how the devices work, and explore their role in public safety and civilian self-defense.
Q: What Does TASER Stand For?
TASER is an acronym. It stands for "Thomas A. Swift’s Electric Rifle", a name inspired by a science fiction novel that Jack Cover, the device’s inventor, enjoyed.
To keep things accurate:
- TASER should always be written in uppercase letters—it’s a brand name, not a generic term.
- It’s not a verb—saying "someone was TASERed" is incorrect. Instead, say "they were subjected to a TASER energy weapon’s effects."
Q: Can TASER Energy Weapons Electrocute Someone?
No—TASER energy weapons do not electrocute people.
Instead of delivering a deadly electric shock, TASER energy weapons use controlled electrical pulses to temporarily disable muscle function—a process known as neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI).
This is similar to the technology used in physical therapy muscle stimulators, which cause the muscles to contract momentarily.
To put it in perspective:
An average ice maker uses more electrical current than a TASER device. TASER 7 delivers 1.4 milliamps (mA), TASER 10 delivers 1.5mA, and an ice maker can draw up to 10,000 mA on average during operation. This helps illustrate just how low the current from TASER devices is in comparison.
Q: Do TASER Energy Weapons Have Long-Term Effects?
No. TASER technology is designed for temporary incapacitation, with no known lasting health effects.
Once the device shuts off, the subject’s muscles return to normal function almost immediately. Extensive research—including over 1,000 scientific reports and millions of field uses—has demonstrated TASER’s strong safety record.
Q: Can a TASER Energy Weapon Interfere with a Pacemaker?
No, they do not disrupt pacemakers.
Pacemakers are built to withstand extreme electrical events, such as automated external defibrillators (AEDs), which generate thousands of times more energy than a TASER energy weapon. It does not pose a risk to pacemaker function.
Q: What Makes Electricity Dangerous?
It’s not voltage—it’s current.
Voltage measures electrical potential, but it’s current flow that determines whether electricity poses a risk. High current levels can be dangerous when passing through the human body.
TASER energy weapons operate at extremely low current levels, ensuring they remain a less-lethal force option with a strong safety profile.
Q: Are TASER Energy Weapons the Same as Stun Guns?
A: No—TASER energy weapons and stun guns are fundamentally different technologies, even though both are offered in Axon’s civilian product lineup.
Stun guns are close-contact self-defense tools that require physical contact with an assailant to be effective. When pressed against the body, they deliver localized pain through electrical current. Once contact is broken, the effect stops immediately. Some of Axon’s civilian products include stun-gun functionality for those seeking a compact, pain-compliance option.
TASER energy weapons, in contrast, are designed to stop a threat from a distance by using neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI)—not pain—to temporarily override the body’s muscle control. These devices deploy two probes that create a circuit across muscle groups, causing involuntary contractions that incapacitate the subject for a preset cycle, typically five seconds. This capability provides users with both range and effectiveness.
Q: Do TASER Energy Weapons Work Better at Close Range?
TASER devices are designed to be effective at various distances.
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For optimal NMI, probes should land at least 12 inches apart—the greater the spread, the more effective the immobilization.
- Pulse 2, Bolt 2 & X1 feature a 15-foot range, allowing space between the user and the threat.
- TASER 7 features a close quarters (CQ) cartridge for use at distances as short as 4 feet but can reach as far as 12 feet.
- TASER 10 offers individually targeted probes, making it highly effective even at point-blank range.
Unlike earlier models that deployed two probes simultaneously at fixed angles, TASER 10's individually targeted probe deployment allows for safer, more controlled close-range use because the user can create their spread.
Q: Are TASER Energy Weapons More Painful Than Pepper Spray?
Pepper spray and TASER energy weapons function very differently.
- Pepper spray (OC spray) causes temporary blindness, extreme irritation, and burning sensations that last up to 24 hours.
- TASER energy weapons temporarily override muscle control for about five seconds, but do not cause lingering pain.
While the activation may feel intense, it is over within seconds—unlike pepper spray, which continues to affect a person long after exposure.
Q: Can a TASER Energy Weapon Be Used More Than Once?
A: Yes—but within clearly defined usage guidelines.
TASER energy weapons are designed to deliver a single, timed cycle per trigger pull—typically five seconds for public safety devices and 30 seconds for civilian devices like those in Axon’s consumer line. These durations are intentional, providing time to create distance or call for help.
In situations where continued incapacitation is necessary to maintain safety, a user can activate an additional cycle by pulling the trigger again, only when justified and by training and legal use-of-force policies.
For public safety users, some models allow for deployment of a second cartridge after the first has been used. Civilian devices are typically single-cartridge systems, with the emphasis on escape and de-escalation, not continued engagement.
Important:
Proper training, adherence to policy, and situational awareness are critical in all cases to ensure TASER energy weapons are used ethically, safely, and effectively.
Final Thoughts: How TASER Energy Weapons Are Transforming Public Safety
TASER energy weapons have become one of the most effective tools for reducing use-of-force incidents, offering a less-lethal alternative that protects both officers and civilians.
With millions of deployments, extensive research, and continuous advancements, TASER devices are reshaping modern de-escalation tactics.
Want to learn more? Visit taser.com for the latest updates.
