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Taser

A Taser is a handheld conducted energy device that delivers an electric shock to temporarily incapacitate a person.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

A Taser is a handheld conducted energy device that delivers an electric shock to temporarily incapacitate a person. It is a brand of electroshock weapon sold by Axon Enterprise and is commonly used by law enforcement as a less-lethal force option. In Canada, Tasers are relevant as law-enforcement conducted energy devices and are discussed in Canadian policing, use-of-force, and public-safety debates.

Overview

Taser is a trademarked line of conducted energy weapons used to incapacitate a target temporarily by electric shock. The name is widely used in everyday speech to refer to electroshock weapons more generally.

Design and operation

A Taser typically fires two small dart-like electrodes connected by thin wires. The device delivers a high-voltage shock intended to interfere with muscular control and immobilize the target for a short period.

History

The Taser was developed in the 1970s by Jack Cover and first introduced as a police less-lethal option in 1993. Its name is commonly explained as an acronym for Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle.

Use and classification

Tasers are used mainly by law enforcement and some security personnel, and consumer models have also existed. They are usually described as less-lethal weapons because they can still cause serious harm in some circumstances.

Terminology

A Taser is distinct from a stun gun, although the two are often confused in popular usage. A Taser can be fired at a distance, while a stun gun typically requires direct contact.

Key facts

  • Taser is a brand name, not a generic technical term, though it is often used generically for electroshock weapons.
  • A Taser fires two small darts or probes that remain attached to the device by wires.
  • Tasers are generally classified as less-lethal, not non-lethal, because serious injury or death can still occur.
  • The first Taser conducted energy weapon was introduced in 1993 for police use.
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Canadian context

Tasers are relevant in Canada as law-enforcement conducted energy devices and are discussed in Canadian policing, use-of-force, and public-safety debates.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Taser?
A Taser is a handheld electroshock device that fires darts or electrodes to temporarily incapacitate a person by electric shock.
Who makes Tasers?
Tasers are sold by Axon Enterprise, the company formerly known as Taser International.
When was the Taser introduced?
The first Taser conducted energy weapon was introduced in 1993.
Is a Taser the same as a stun gun?
No. Tasers are typically projectile-firing conducted energy devices, while stun guns usually require direct contact.
What does TASER stand for?
It is commonly expanded as Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle, though the acronym’s exact origin has been described differently in some sources.
Are Tasers lethal?
They are generally described as less-lethal, but they can still cause serious injury or death in some cases.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taser
    Supports: Brand name, device description, manufacturer, introduction date, and general operation.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/TASER
    Supports: Device function, range, inventor, acronym origin, and general classification.
  3. Congressional Research Service — https://www.congress.gov/crs_external_products/IF/PDF/IF12841/IF12841.4.pdf
    Supports: Definition of conducted energy devices and distinction among CED types.