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TASER patent: 'Don't tase me, bro' situations soon to be simultaneously shot on video
The fine folks who brought us the TASER shock device just dreamed up a new idea: Let’s embed a video camera into the stun gun, recording an entire electronic attack for all posterity. The TASERians figured it was such a good idea, they should file a patent to incorporate a small video camera that also records audio into their products. Given all the trouble TASERs have stirred up lately, with accusations of cops getting trigger-happy with the usually non-lethal weapons, this video record of their use might actually be a good thing.
The patent application says the video shooting would “extend a while before and after the shooting,” but we’re thinking the recording might need to start rolling longer than “a while” before the shooting starts, to show exactly what led up to such shocking defenses. Sure, TASERs can be over-used, but think of all the killings they’ve prevented. Add accountability in the form of video and audio proof, and follow that up with some healthy oversight, and the entire idea might actually make some sense.
Via Danger Room
By thebutterzone at 1:16 PM ON 05/16/08
I am not a programmer, but...
if TASER leaves holster
recording begins
and if TASER is fired
recording is not automatically removed from memory
By soundisgood at 6:19 PM ON 05/18/08
open up and let me come in
By soundisgood at 6:36 PM ON 05/18/08
The problem with this is cops are really good at covering they're hind quarters and manipulating the situation. It's a double edge sword and cops are experts at it.
Cops can and do work people up long before they pull out the taser and engage the video. It's not unheard of. Some one could be provoked by the police or whomever so that when they pull out the taser the video only shows an the a person in the wrong when they may not have been.
By darkamor at 5:37 AM ON 05/21/08
Make it so that the taser's audio / video recording device can not be tampered by the Police and YES I'm all for it !!!
~(^)~
By pike942 at 9:41 AM ON 05/21/08
Wonderful tool. Wish they had these 20 years ago. I'm at the last quarter of my career, but my (cameraless) Taser has kept me from having to seriously injure a couple people -- and kill another! And every cop I know would like the idea of the recording beginning a minute before and continuing on after the Taser event. It'd be great to demonstrate what a "tool" the subject really was!
By f---edup at 5:55 PM ON 05/21/08
Great device. Wish we were allowed to carry and use them. Would use them 5 times a day on all the lowlifes.
By despressed at 5:57 PM ON 05/21/08
Can u shoot yourself in the head with one of these and die from it?
By starburn at 6:58 PM ON 05/21/08
yeah, despressed, give it a shot and get back to us on that, won't ya? ya retard
By GOD at 6:59 PM ON 05/21/08
Sounds like PIKE942 & F---EDUP R crooked cops.
By DubbaDeeDee at 8:38 PM ON 05/22/08
By 9sholmes at 3:11 PM ON 08/01/08
If the camera mountain on the gun could stream data during real time people could turn this into a virtual First Person Shooter video game. What would be missing is a robot that mimic a game controller commands.
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9sholmes:
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