When is a dart-firing stun gun typically used?

A dart-firing stun gun is typically employed when a subject exhibits active physical resistance. This type of situation arises when an individual is actively trying to resist arrest or pose a threat to the safety of officers or others. The use of a dart-firing stun gun allows law enforcement officers to incapacitate a person swiftly and effectively from a distance, thereby minimizing the risk of injury to both the officers and the subject involved.

When officers encounter active physical resistance, their priority is to gain control of the situation while ensuring everyone's safety. An electric shock from the stun gun disrupts the subject's neuromuscular control, allowing officers to take the necessary actions to subdue the individual without resorting to more severe levels of force. This aligns with law enforcement protocols that prioritize de-escalation and minimizing harm.

In contrast, other situations, such as passive resistance or when verbal commands are ineffective, may not justify the use of a dart-firing stun gun, as the level of threat or resistance is not at the same intensity as active physical resistance. Using it as a measure of last resort typically refers to scenarios where all other options have been exhausted, which is not the primary consideration when active resistance is evident. Hence, the most appropriate context for deploying a dart