Tasers in California - Pulse versus Bolt

Let me start by saying that I am referring to Taser devices that fire 2 metal darts attached to wires. Many people use the word ‘taser’ interchangeably with ‘stun gun’, and this post is specifically referring to Taser devices. I am NOT a lawyer, NOT a peace officer and NOT in any way offering legal advice on the purchase, sale, ownership, transport or carrying of taser devices in the state of California. As of this post date, after conversations with several law enforcement officers, taser devices are legal in California, with some restrictions/requirements. PLEASE, before you purchase a taser device, check with your local law enforcement department regarding its legality. Although Taser devices are legal in a majority of states, most of those states have some kind of restrictions/requirements. Also counties or cities may have additional ordinances that further restrict the possession of a Taser device in your state. Now on to the show…. Taser devices come in 2 types, the Law Enforcement Models and the Civilian Models. Law Enforcement (LE) models are strictly for use by Law Enforcement agencies, and it is a crime for a NON law enforcement officer to posses one. Taser devices produced for law enforcement agencies are typically more powerful, have double the cable length on the metal darts and can be activated multiple times by pressing the trigger again. Some models have a variable trigger that allows for control of power that is delivered as well. The reason for this, LE models are meant for multi use, specifically; self defense AND non lethal submission & control. LE models are also often brightly colored yellow or orange. If you plan on buying your taser device on eBay or another used auction site, be sure to verify that you’re buying a civilian model or you could end up with some very serious criminal legal troubles. Civilian models are slightly different in that they are not as powerful as LE models, cable length is a maximum 15 ft, and it can only be activated once per cartridge. Unlike the LE models that can be reactivated by pressing the trigger again. We will be discussing two of the more common Taser devices available to civilians in California. Taser Bolt

This device is a similar version of the Taser C2 and maintains the same size and shape. The device is shaped like a ‘phaser’ from the TV show Star Trek the Next Generation (as seen in the photo). Because of the size and shape, it is slightly bulky and not the best choice for carrying in a purse. If not in a holster, you could easily reach into your purse and pull it out backwards. Carrying in a belt holster would be more comfortable, but due to its size, is easily detectable under a shirt or light jacket.

Taser Pulse

This device is compact, due to its relatively small size and low profile. The Pulse is easily concealed in a purse or belt holster and resembles the size, color and shape of a compact handgun (as seen in photo). This is a positive and a negative, the positive being that it is familiar to hold, easier to use, and quickly identifiable while blindly reaching into a purse or backpack. There is a negative with this form factor, while holstered or first drawn it appears ‘at a glance’ to be a small semi automatic pistol.

While I have found no law specifically restricting the Taser Pulse due to its appearance, my understanding of brandishing laws in California as well as common sense say; if the device is drawn or displayed in a manner to make someone believe it is a firearm, then there could be legal reproductions. What does this mean? Basically this; if you plan on carrying this particular Taser device, it should never be seen except by the attacker you intend to use it on. And really that is true with any Taser device, stun gun, pepper spray etc. Taser has recently upgraded the Taser Pulse to be smart phone friendly. With the use of a subscription APP on your smart phone, 911 will be immediately notified of your location when you discharge your Taser Pulse. The app and subscription are an OPTIONAL service and do not affect the normal operation of your Taser Pulse. However if you are uncomfortable with the added electronics in your device, you can still purchase the original non-smart phone version from many online and local retailers. Both of these devices use the same type ‘single use cartridge’. This means that when the darts are discharged and make contact, they will deliver an electrical current to the target, hopefully rendering the target incapacitated. However that is it, pressing the trigger again WILL NOT reactivate the electrical current. The civilian models are for self defense ONLY. They are intended to momentarily INCAPACITATE an attacker, DROP the Taser device and ESCAPE to safety. As explained to me by a retailer, if a Taser device is registered after purchase, the company will send you a FREE REPLACEMENT of your abandoned Taser device. Replacement is only available if your item is registered through Taser AND you provide a police report as proof of your Taser device being abandoned. I do not know if this replacement warranty is ONLY for devices purchased from authorized retailers, or if purchases of new or used devices from other online suppliers qualify. You should contact Taser International prior to purchase to find out the specifics. Something to consider; Taser devices, while quite effective are nearly useless if confronted by multiple attackers. Even if you were able to discharge your device towards one attacker, it is highly unlikely that you would be able to wait for the discharge cycle to finish, remove and replace the cartridge, then discharge towards a second attacker. In this situation, a pepper spray might be more useful. You could easily spray multiple attackers, though less effective in incapacitating someone, it would still give you the precious moments needed to hopefully escape to safety. Dogs and other animals are another consideration. While you could use a Taser device on a dog, it might be difficult to hit a small target that is facing you. I doubt the dog will stand sideways so you can get a good body shot, besides a Taser discharge may very well kill it. And a Taser device would NOT be effective at all on a mountain lion or bear. For animals I would consider researching pepper or bear sprays, animals have an elevated sense of smell and a pepper spray may disorientate even a large animal long enough for you to get to safety. And finally, if you discharge your Taser device and it determined that you did it unlawfully, mistakenly or maliciously, you open yourself up to many civil and criminal legal difficulties. Like anything, Taser devices have there pros and cons, so each person needs to carefully research and weigh their decision before making a purchase, especially one that could potentially save your life or get you thrown into jail.