Seattle — Tasers and similar stun guns, increasingly popular among law enforcement agencies nationwide, are generally safe for police to use, according to new research.
In what was called the first large independent study of injuries from Tasers, researchers reviewed 962 cases in six locations. Nearly all the cases they found resulted in no injuries or minor ones such as scrapes and bruises.
"This is the first time we've got an accounting of how likely it is that you'll be seriously injured by one of these devices," said lead researcher, Dr. William P. Bozeman, an emergency medical specialist at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine.
He presented the research Monday at a meeting of the American College of Emergency Physicians in Seattle.
While the research found that stun guns are safe, Bozeman cautioned, "These are serious weapons. They absolutely have the potential to injure or kill people."
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Ragingbear (anonymous) says…
This from the city that is among the most flagrant violators of civil rights by police officers.
How about a study to see if tasers are abused or not?
Ever notice that cops will pepper spray and then taze somebody, and while they still have this electricity coursing through their body, will keep juicing it while yelling "stop resisting". Apparently people are blind to the fact that full body spasms happen when your shot with 10,000 volts of electricity.
cowboy (anonymous) says…
Bear , your world is too small , go to chicago or new york or the south , you'll meet some true abusers , although the LPD could use a real course in courtesy.
On the tasers , there are numerous studies stating the opposite of the article , and i suppose if you tase healthy people they can tolerate it , but under the influence , anyone with heart conditions , they will die , and we have all seen the vidoes of the officer punishing people with them. I think the jury is out on these and I think the protocol bar for using them needs to be much higher.
Ragingbear (anonymous) says…
Madmike, read this..
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/jamieso...
huntershaven (anonymous) says…
Just to be honest, Taser International's own documentation that is distributed to law enforcement agencies and product wholesalers/distributors strongly advises that that a Taser device is to be considered a "generally less-than-lethal" device not a "non-lethal" device. Additionally, there is a thick volume of case histories and reports they distribute to law enforcement agencies discussing situations where "less than desirable" outcomes have happened and how to avoid them. It is sent out on request, but only to the agencies. I know this because I have the wholesaler/retailer/distributor package of information and noted that interesting detail.
Also, LEO Taser devices have a higher output and range than the retail consumer versions. The distance is based in the replaceable barb cartridges. Consumer versions have a range of 16 feet. LEO grade have ranges of 25 feet for standard officers and up to 40 feet for SWAT scenario operations.
As for those who are brutal and work in law enforcement, it doesn't matter what they are equipped with, they will misuse it. For those who try to do the right thing, they will try to only use what force is necessary to do their job safely. However, no one should consider less than lethal devices as never having the potential to kill.
badger (anonymous) says…
Tasers are less dangerous than bullets. They were meant to be; they are geared towards subduing someone out of arm's reach without shooting him. And I agree with Huntershaven's statement that, "As for those who are brutal and work in law enforcement, it doesn't matter what they are equipped with, they will misuse it. For those who try to do the right thing, they will try to only use what force is necessary to do their job safely. However, no one should consider less than lethal devices as never having the potential to kill."
I think tasers are overused and that an exaggerated expectation of their safety is held by a lot of people. But I don't know that it's the nature of the taser that makes them prone to abuse, or just the popularity of stories about them that means tales of their abuse are publicized more heavily.
kneejerkreaction (anonymous) says…
The Police Cocktail.....
1. a dash of taser,
2. a jigger of pepper spray....or two (you just can't use enough pepper spray)
3. then mix the whole thing together with a nightstick. Be careful not to bruise while mixing, 'cause it'll make the whole thing taste bad.
Haiku_Cuckoo (anonymous) says…
The best way to avoid getting tasered is to not act like a combative idiot. If you think the police are making a mistake by apprehending you, resisting them won't help your case. Just go down to the station, lawyer-up if need be and answer their questions like an adult. See? That was easy.
Agnostick (anonymous) says…
Some questions I've not seen addressed in the article, or in the discussion, so far:
1) Are tasers and stun guns legally classified as "firearms?"
2) Is a taser protected by the Second Amendment?
3) Are there waiting periods or background checks for taser purchases?
4) In the State of Kansas, what is "required" for somebody to carry one on their person? Are tasers covered by the CCW legislation that went into effect a couple of years ago?
4) If I acquire a taser "second-hand," are there any laws in place detailing who can sell it to me, under what conditions it can be sold to me, and what kind of training/licensing/certification I might need?
Agnostick
agnostick@excite.com
http://www.uscentrist.org
http://www.americanplan.org
Bubbles (anonymous) says…
I guess we should go back to using guns and knight sticks on criminals?
Or maybe we should just ask the bad guys to, "stop it and be nice you, you, meanie".
staff04 (anonymous) says…
Some info that defies common sense:
http://www.taser.org/laws.html
In some states and localities, restrictions on possession, sale, receipt, or other transfer are much tougher than those imposed on firearms.
kneejerkreaction (anonymous) says…
looks as if we can tase away in KS
Agnostick (anonymous) says…
Thanks, staff04. I see that the Great State of Kansas has done two things to address Taser use:
1) Jack
2) Sh*t
Par for the course.
But hey, them nasty ol' heathen gays and lesbians cain't marry up like proper folk! Got them thar pryoriteez strait, we do!
:rolleyes:
--Ag
kneejerkreaction (anonymous) says…
Address Taser use? I'm guessing that the majority of KS Taser use is against bad guys. What does KS need to address?
tangential_reasoners_anonymous (anonymous) says…
"generally safe"
If it weren't for * q u a l i f i e d * safety, we'd have no safety at all.
( Skydiving anyone? )
Agnostick (anonymous) says…
kneejerk, try reading through the thread again.
I'll stop now while I can still keep my sarcasm in check...
--Ag
kneejerkreaction (anonymous) says…
-Ag, blow it. Regs for regs sake are worthless. Try thinking through the threads you reference. There is clearly no tasering issue in KS.
purplesage (anonymous) says…
The idiots that comprise law enforcement where I live scare me to death. So far, and for the most part, they have had better sense than to use guns. I see them carrying tasers now and have no data as to the amount of use they get. But I can see these cowboys thinking they can cause pain and suffering in the name of the law without blood being spilled. I think that fact opens the door to taser abuse.
Did you see the 15 year old get punched, pepper sprayed and tazed in Florida, I think it was? The commentator said it looked like appropriate the cop was using appropriate force. She had violated curfew and was resisting being cuffed while crying for her mom (with whom she should have been at home) and tried to bit the cop's wrist as he held her down against the hood of the car. I wonder what inappropriate force looks like?
erod0723 (anonymous) says…
Here is a list of things that are "generally safe" except when in the use of stupid people...
1. Cars
2. Alcohol
3. Electricity
4. Guns
5. Pepper Spray
6. Knifes
7. Big Sticks
The problem here is the fact that it always seems that the dimmest people in High School become Police Officers. I wouldn't trust shiny badges and expensive cars with most of the people I know from High School, let alone guns and tasers. The product is not the problem, it's the user. Get rid of the stupid cops and the problem shall be solved.