Officials seek safeguards for stun guns

[flashl]

Source: USA Today

The increasing use of stun guns by law enforcement agencies across the USA is giving rise to studies and policies aimed at managing their use.

Stun guns are used by more than 12,700 U.S. law enforcement and military agencies, up from 500 in 2000, according to Steve Tuttle, spokesman for leading manufacturer Taser International.

As stun guns become commonplace, state and local officials seek safeguards, sometimes in response to public outcry over the use of the devices.

...

From June 2001 to September 2007 — the most recent period for which statistics are available — at least 276 people had died nationwide after police stunned them, according to an Amnesty International report. The report did not consider whether the weapons were directly responsible for the deaths.

USA Today

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-05-15-stunguns_N.htm

[HockeyMom]

1. Rule #1

NEVER used on a child under the age of 10. Here that, FLORIDA?

[bossy22]

5. well to be honest

that 10 year old was the size of a 20 year old....i understand it doesnt look good and it shouldnt happen, but its kinda hard to control a large individual no matter what their size is

[HockeyMom]

6. I am talking about the 5 year old girl

in Kindergarten who was tasered last year. No way is a 5 year old girl the size of a 20 year old.

[flashl]

2. Rule #2 Do not use against an 82 year old while on wellness check. nt

[jaxx]

3. It's about time, they're lethal weapons.

I don't know how they will stop the nut who thinks it's ok to zap anybody who looks at them crosseyed, but it's a start.

[BadGimp]

4. Rule # 3

Most Cops are too stupid to be issued Stun Guns and people are dying all over this fucking country as a result.

[pop goes the weasel]

7. That's not so

If most cops were that bad, the abuse of tasers would be much worse. Most cops are decent folks and sometimes even too enthusiastically helpful. But like with any other profession, there is the cream of the crop, the congenial middle, and the terrifying bottom of the barrel.