NCJ Number
179392
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 26 Issue: 10 Dated: October 1999 Pages: 164-167
Date Published
October 1999
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The first in a new class of electro-muscular disruption weapons, the Advanced TASER M26 (manufactured by TASER International in Scottsdale, Ariz.) is the only less-lethal weapon tested by the author that will stop a focused, goal-oriented attacker.
Abstract
The author tested the TASER M26 on 10 volunteers in the course of his evaluation, all of whom were chosen from the elite of Canadian law enforcement trainers. The effects were immediate and overwhelming; all subjects were completely incapacitated in less than one-fifth of a second. The author himself describes what happened to him when the M26 hit him in the right leg. His entire body went rigid as the energy of the M26 pulsed into his leg. There are tradeoffs, however, with the M26. Because it is a new technology, it does not have the benefit of years of field use and background data. The medical information on it indicates it is well within electrical safety limits, but more medical information on its effects is needed. If bio-medical studies indicate positive results, the M26 should be a less-lethal weapon system that all law enforcement agencies should consider. One disadvantage of the M26 is a design that makes it appear to be a firearm. Although such a design makes its use easier for police officers, its appearance may lead suspects to use a lethal weapon in self-defense.