The Carabinieri of the Compagnia di Quartu and the agents of the City Commissariat from today on duty with the electric pistol .

A novelty for the Quartese law enforcement agencies after the same "Taser" pistol was assigned to the carabinieri of the radio-mobile unit of Cagliari in March.

It will obviously have to be used when the need arises .

"This is a real weapon ", says Colonel Cesario Totaro , provincial commander of the Cagliari carabinieri.

"An obviously non-lethal electric pistol delivered to the police after a long experimentation. It is assigned to highly qualified personnel and must be used with discretion and in case of extreme danger to the life of the military or to public safety".

The Taser was introduced in the UK in 2004. In Italy it has had a long experimentation. "An absolutely necessary gun," says Deputy Commissioner Gianni Noto . "A weapon for our safety and which blocks without hurting the person who offers resistance: obviously we must act with the utmost discretion".

Although it is not lethal, by law it is considered a real weapon, since a trigger is pulled to operate it.

“In case of danger - we read on specialized sites - the weapon is taken out and shown; then, the trigger is pulled and the electrical warning beam is operated. The weapon is capable of firing two darts connected to conductive wires that transmit a discharge of 63 microcoulombs of electricity for 5 seconds . The subject is therefore unable to move. The mind remains clear and able to listen ”.