What exactly is a Taser?
- A Taser is a weapon that delivers a strong jolt of electricity from
two metal prongs.
- The strong jolt of electricity disrupts the victim’s nervous
system, causing extreme pain and incapacitation.
There's been an uproar lately over some Taser incidents
caught on video. Why are people questioning the use of Tasers by security
and police? Can you give us a couple of examples?
- After a John Kerry speech, a rowdy student was tasered at the University
of Florida.
- Recently an Ohio woman was repeatedly tasered by a cop and it was
all caught on video tape.
- The concern is that cops are inflicting the electrical jolt of a
taser as a "short cut," instead of subduing their
target in a less intrusive way.
Are Tasers safe and are they considered non-lethal weapons?
- The manufacturer claims they are safe, but studies show
tasers can cause problems for people with pacemakers, heart arrhythmia,
or people who are highly stressed or using drugs.
- In fact, some law enforcement officers are even suing the manufacturer
of taser for injuries sustained in tests designed to demonstrate the
safety of the devices.
Are there laws governing the use of Tasers?
- Tasers are not considered firearms, and no federal law regulates
their use.
- Some states and municipalities have passed laws regulating or banning
tasers,
- But, for the most part, police departments treat tasers like any
other use of non-deadly force ... in other words, on the same
level as a restraint hold or a baton.
In my opinion, security and police departments need to establish
and comply with strict guidelines concerning the use of tasers.
Disclaimer
This information is general and may or may not apply to your situation.
The information contained on this web site is not to be considered as
legal advice. Since no two cases are identical, we recommend that you
contact an attorney in your jurisdiction to discuss the specific facts
of your case. Furthermore, since statutes and case law change so frequently
and due to information provided by other sources, we make no warranty
or guarantee concerning the accuracy of the content of this or any other
web sites to which we link.
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