TASER
A Taser is an electroshock weapon that uses Electro-Muscular Disruption (EMD) technology to cause neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI) and strong muscle contractions through the involuntary stimulation of both the sensory nerves and the motor nerves. The Taser is not dependent on pain compliance making it highly effective on subjects with high pain tolerance.
The use of taser weapons in the Colonial military has been for the most part confined to the actions of the Military Police (MP) forces in dealing with trained, often dangerious individuals with military training, the restraint or detainment of whom is an immediate priority.
Taser weapons have certain advantages and drawbacks. Advantages include
- Taser weapons are not silent, however they are signifgantly quieter than firearms.
- Tasers can render immobile and stunned a hostile target with minimal perminant damage.
- In reviews, the use of a taser weapon is often viewed as a last attempt to subdue a target without causing perminant harm. Failure of a taser weapon is often pointed to as a justification for more drastic methods.
The following should be held in mind before the use of a taser weapon is employed as draWbacks.
- Taser weapons are not completely reliable. Delivery system depends on two barbed darts being fired into a suspect. These darts have a chance of becoming snagged in clothes and the like, rendering them ineffective.
- Tasers have a limited range. The fired darts extend to the limits of the guide wires connecting them to the taser unit. Once this range is reached, the projectiles stop and fall to the ground, useless.
- The barbs of a taser, when imbedded in a suspects skin, must be removed by a medic or person medically trained. The barbs are designed to remove flesh if simply pulled out.
- TASERS HAVE NO EFFECT ON CYLON CENTURIONS. AT ALL. Not only do Centurions have no neuromuscular tissue to effect, they are protected against electrical shock up to heavy electrical arcing well beyond the capabilities of the standard Colonial Military taser weapon. Also, Cylon armor causes the barbs to ping off, uselessly.
When using a taser weapon in the line of duty. Regulations have the following rules for MPs
- When facing a suspect. If they are armed with a firearm or explosive, use of a taser weapon is generally not approperate. This situation calls for lethal force responce.
- If an MP is facing a suspect with a taser weapon, regulations clearly state that the MP should have backup (Usually the MPs partner) ready with lethal force response in case the taser proves ineffective
Anatomy of a standard Colonial taser weapon
1. PROBES - Barbed probes attach to skin or clothing
2. AFIDs - Serialized identification tracking system
3. TASER WIRE - Up to 35 feet or 10.6 meters maximum range
4. TASER CARTRIDGE - Design allows for quick reloading, even under stress
5. HIGH VISIBILITY SIGHTS
6. ILLUMINATION SELECTOR - Choose between four modes: laser and light illumination, laser only, light only, or stealth mode
7. (CID) CENTRAL INFORMATION DISPLAY - Two-digit display on the back of the TASER X26 that provides information on DPM power level, spark duration, TASER status
data, and illumination selector (see Inset 7a.)
8. SAFETY SWITCH (Ambidextrous) - Arms TASER, activates laser and lights
9. STAINLESS STEEL SHOCK PLATES
10. Digital Power Magazine (DPM) RELEASE BUTTON
11. TEXTURED GRIP ZONES
12. DPM - All weather power pack with integrated digital memory. From -5˚F to 122˚F, rated up to over 150 firings at 77˚F with a 10-year shelf life
13. TRIGGER - Fires the weapon and initiates the electrical cycle
14. LOW INTENSITY LIGHTS (LIL) - LED lights provide extra illumination at night while inhibiting the target’s visual acuity
15. LASER SIGHT - High visibility deterrent and targeting aid allows for easy, instant aiming
16. BLAST DOORS - Reuseable
