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according to google tasers have around a 40% failure rate. They are fairly close range and the prongs need to actually stick into the target to neutralise them. I believe officers are taught to use two hands for firing their gun so they most likely pick a taser or pistol not both.
Turn out in 1770 there was a solar flare between September 16-18. He apparently named the island in June so the timelines dont match exactly from what we know but its a possibility.