Taser stun guns will serve as an alternative for LBPD

By Lauren Faulkner
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer

The Long Beach Police Department along with other departments recently placed orders totaling $1 million in revenue to Taser International Inc., a developer of Taser stun guns used by police and military personnel.

The orders for the company's Taser X26 also came from Louisville, Ky., metro police and Miami-Dade County Police. The Taser X26 is a newer, smaller model than the older Advanced Taser M26 and provides officers with an alternative to using a firearm.

Referred to by many as “less than lethal ammunition,” the Taser stun gun still packs a big punch. The gun itself resembles a pistol. However, its distinct black and yellow stripes set it apart from other police tools. Upon firing, two prongs attached to a wire are shot up to 21 feet. Once the prongs have made contact with the body or clothing an electrical current sends 50,000 volts through the prongs. Each time the officer pulls the trigger an additional 50,000 volts of electricity are sent through the body for five seconds. If the prongs fail to make contact with skin, the electrical current will “jump” up to two inches of clothing.

The result of the electrical shock is an instant loss of the bodies neuromuscular control and any ability to perform physical action. This can give an officer being attacked enough time to gain control of the situation.

The Taser stun gun has been proven to be less lethal than firearms overall. However, Tasers have come under increasing scrutiny as a number of deaths have been partially blamed on the devices. In most cases the effects of a person hit with a Taser are minor. The person might feel dazed for several seconds, but no permanent damage is caused to the muscles or nerves.

Although the University Police Department does not use Taser stun guns, the option has been considered.

“I think the concept of Tasers is a very good one. One that in time the University Police Department has researched and will consider more in the future,” said University Police Captain Skipworth. “However, our own commitment to equipping our officers and meeting the challenges of public safety threats effectively rests not merely with the acquisition of a particular piece of equipment, but in the ability to effectively train and communicate the appropriate consideration and eventual use of a given tool.”

With the recent expiration of a law that banned possession of semiautomatic assault weapons, many CSUlB students responded positively to the gun alternative.

“It is a good alternative with use of force rather than lethal force, especially if you need to restrain someone on drugs for example,” said CSULB graduate student, Daniel Brandt.