The 'Don't Tase Me Bro' Roundup

Until today I had no idea the word Taser is an acronym for a book title from around 1911 in the children's book series about one Tom Swift. "Tom Swift and the Electric Rifle, or Daring Adventures on Elephant Island" is the origin of the stun gun's name.

There are plenty of chances to see campus police use a Taser on an unruly student during a Sen. John Kerry rally, but I am not putting the video here. It's being shown plenty on TV news (it's the story not about O.J. Simpson). NOTE: A very thorough look at the events, plus how Sen. Kerry responded to the event is here at Facing South.

So how about a mini-round-up of Taser-related stories and blogs?

Say Uncle shares his view of the student-hit-by-taser story.

No Silence Here has more on the event and links to "Don't Tase Me, Bro!" t-shirts.

There are reports today as well of a wheelchair-bound woman who died after she was shot 10 times with a Taser during a confrontation with police.

And a story of an autistic boy who was Tasered by police.

You can also get your own Pink Taser to carry with you.

This year's Taser International Convention featured some new products, including the wireless eXtended Range Electronic Projectile (XREP), a strategic alliance with iRobot, and the new Shockwave™ T-RAD (TASER Area Denial System). Pictures and product descriptions are here.

The company has also announced the United States Forest Service will soon be packing Tasers.

Photo above from Taser International:

The TASER XREP (eXtended Range Elecronic Projectile) is a wireless projectile that fires from a 12-gauge shotgun. It delivers the same neuro-muscular incapacitation (NMI) as our handheld TASER X26, but can be delivered to a distance of up to 100 feet. The XREP combines blunt impact with the field proven TASER Neuro Muscular Incapacitation that renders a violent offender virtually incapable of moving or harming others

This Just In: Goat Eludes Attempted Tasering.

Tasers, by the way, are not the same as Lasers. But a comparison is entertaining:

Sharks and lasers.

Laser Cats.

And there are Phasers and then there are some other Phasers too.