Now, I can agree with you on an -occasional- abuse of using a TASER when actually it might not be called for. That is being lazy.

BUT… a TASER -is- a stun gun; a stun gun that works across a distance of up to 20′ away (if you extend your arm all the way). A stun gun is used to disable a person temporarily by delivering a nonlethal high-voltage/ low current electric shock. Depending on the model, voltages can range from 35,000 to over 900,000 volts. The higher the voltage, the quicker the muscles will succumb due to a flood of Lactic Acid, and the sooner the person will drop. 400,000 volts will drop any person in about 1 second, yet do no damage.

Getting nailed by a stun gun (or TASER) is nothing like getting electrocuted, as electrocution properties are high voltage (2,400 volts), and more importantly, high current (20 amps). It is the brisance of the amperage that kills you, tearing apart cells and pathways enmass. If you happen to get electrocuted on a high-tension line it’s even worse, as the amperage is so high that limbs can get blown off.

Now, I’m actually not wild about TASER’s as they can cause harm to the perpetrator if they hit the ground/floor/cement/pavement too hard. Conventional stun guns are better because the shooter has a chance to hold the perpetrator as they fall down.

BTW, 50,000 volts from a stun gun / TASER is a bit on the low side of voltage and they generate a tad more current… when it should be the opposite way around; but the point of it is to put a little ‘sting’ into it so the perpetrator will think long and hard about resuming to fight back.