The Taser Pulse for Civilians

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Check out the Taser Pulse: https://buy.taser.com/products/taser-pulse?variant=13856043527

A New Focus on Civilian Needs

Taser is a brand that law enforcement has been relying heavily upon for the last 15 years. The civilian market has not been a primary focus of Taser during that time. In the past, Taser has had a limited number of offerings for the citizen seeking a less lethal means of self-protection. The civilian market is now front and center for Taser, with five great offerings available to the general public. This fresh availability of police-proven, less-than-lethal self-defense products has the potential to be a game changer.

A Little History

Taser began its sales in 1994 with its Air Taser Model 34000. They followed this up with the release of the Taser M26 in 1999. The M26 represented the first truly viable alternative to pepper spray and strikes from a baton- it could deploy two probes up to 21 feet, which would lodge just under the skin and allow the electrical current to overpower the voluntary muscles, via attached wires. It also had the capacity to be used as a pain compliance device through means of contact stunning. What I found incredibly compelling about the Taser was that, when used properly, the injuries it caused to both the user and recipient were far less substantial than those inflicted by other means of control.

The Taser has not been without controversy, and has been the subject of numerous lawsuits alleging that its proper usage had caused death. A Taser is a conducted electrical weapon (electroshock weapon) and the general consensus is that there are certain potential risks associated with being exposed to such weapons. I have (voluntary) been at the receiving end of various models of the Taser, as I wanted a first-hand experience for my own knowledge. My own personal conclusion is that this product, when used properly, presents less risk to all parties involved than other potential uses of force (strikes, chemicals, open-hand and closed-hand techniques).

The Taser Pulse

The model that I selected for this evaluation is the Taser Pulse. At first sight of Pulse, I am instantly reminded of the current crop of small, single stack 9mm. defensive pistols that have swarmed the marketplace in recent years. It is obvious to me that Taser wanted to create a civilian platform with ergonomics that users would be readily familiar with.

The idea behind the Pulse is simple: deploy correctly, place it on the ground, and get away. Taser has a couple of very interesting features that make this simplicity possible. Once the Pulse has been fired, it will continue to deliver an electrical pulse for 30 seconds, allowing the user time to get away.

Perhaps the most interesting feature of all is Taser’s replacement policy: if you deploy your Taser product properly in self-defense and file a police report, Taser will replace your unit for free. This should remove any trepidation from the prospect of leaving behind your $400 Taser to make your escape after deploying.

There are some additional standard features that make this model so appealing, aside from its ergonomic form. The laser, LED lights, and dehorned sights and safety all come together to provide a top-notch standard package. They even include a soft protective cover, which is easily removable for pocket carry. There are already belt holsters on the market for the Taser pulse, which is a great option to have as well.

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Specifications

Dimensions
Length:	5.25″
Height:	4.75″
Width:	1.25″
Weight:	0.5lbs (227g)

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What’s in the Package
TASER Pulse
Replaceable lithium battery
2 live cartridges
Conductive target
Protective soft cover
Quick start guide

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Where it Fits in Your Personal Protection Plan

Without going into a lengthy discussion of the use of force, we should all be able to agree that there are situations wherein the use of deadly force may not be appropriate. With that being said, there are also times when your sole means of less-than-lethal force must be more substantial than the use of harsh language. There may also be situations where being armed with an intermediate solution like a Taser could prevent the escalation to a gun fight, giving you the means to avoid physical harm or escape instead. When use of force is not immediately justified, it’s a no-brainer to say that a step between fists and guns could make a world of difference.

In most circumstances, I would not recommend carrying a Taser without also carrying a gun. There are some circumstances where carrying a gun may not be a legal option, but carrying a Taser is legal. In those situations, it’s safe to say that you’re better off with the Taser than nothing. Although not ideal for covering all your bases, the Taser would certainly be a good alternative to a sharp stick or witty remark.

The Shocking Results

I’m one of those guys that just has to see something work with his own eyes to believe it. As such, I assembled a team of testers to deploy the Taser Pulse. My friend (and yes, he is still my friend) Morgan agreed to be shocked with the Taser Pulse. In the interest of preserving our friendship, I agreed to turn the device off after five seconds instead of allowing it to run the full 30 seconds. My curiosity was certainly satisfied- this weapon is not a toy. Deployed correctly, the Taser Pulse is most certainly capable of stopping an attacker at the full 15 feet. Please watch the video and listen to the questions that were asked and answered. I think the video clearly demonstrates that the test subject was disoriented even after the pulse was turned off.

Legal considerations

The original Taser civilian weapons required a background check from Taser, but this is no longer the case as far as the company is concerned. Some states and cities still require a background check, or ban the sale altogether.

Background checks required	Ban Sale of Taser Pulse
Florida	District of Columbia
Idaho	Hawaii
California	Massachusetts
Nevada	New Jersey
Connecticut	New York
Maryland	Rhode Island
Illinois
Virginia
Minnesota

 

The Taser Pulse is a self-defense weapon, and as such should only be used in a self-defense role. This is not a party game, pet discipline tool, or a general device of stupidity. I refuse to blame an inanimate object for the stupidity and negligence of its human user, nor will I show a lack of emotional maturity by demanding that law-abiding citizens relinquish the ability to defend themselves because of the ignorance or abuse of a few bad actors.

The Bottom Line

I believe that the new line of products offered by Taser to the civilian market have the potential to be valuable tools. These include the Strikelight, Bolt, X26P and X2 (the X26P and X2 are also Law Enforcement products). I applaud the decision by Taser to discontinue their background check requirement for civilian purchases. I think this indicates a real change for Taser in the way they view the public sector. This requirement change, in addition to the full range of products available, removes all doubt in my mind that these tools will be a successful part of the personal defense paradigm. I know countless people who have wanted a less lethal alternative to the handgun, but felt that they never had a viable product to depend on. I can give Taser no endorsement better than this: I plan on spending my hard-earned money to buy a Taser Pulse.

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