Police Taser - Pros And Cons

In the U.S., tasers stun guns are not considered firearms and are legal for civilian use in most states. Some cities, counties and states do restrict or ban their use by people who are not police officers. Taser International will not ship its product outside the United States, unless the person placing the order holds a valid import/export permit. In Canada, however, tasers are a prohibited weapon. Only one company can buy tasers and import them into Canada under a special permit, and they can only sell the devices to law enforcement agencies. Each sale is registered and tracked, much like a handgun.

Taser stun guns are intended to allow police officers to subdue violent individuals without killing them. A police officer can disable a threatening suspect without worrying that a stray bullet might kill or injure an innocent bystander. However, since 2001, critics point to the deaths of more than 50 people in North America after taser shocks. Taser International claims that their product is not directly related to these deaths, and that about 100,000 police officers voluntarily took hits from one of these weapons — with no deaths.

Supporters of the taser point out that the electric current has to pass through air and clothing before it can make contact with the target. Consequently, the charge is substantially reduced. Taser International says that while its device can deliver up to 50,000 volts, it does not deliver that much voltage to a person's body. The company says its Advanced Taser M26 delivers an average of 1,500 volts. However, that's enough to cause problems for a person with a pace maker. An American study concluded that weapons delivering a jolt weaker than those delivered by the tasers police officers use increased the risk of cardiac arrest in people with heart conditions. It's important to note that thousands of people have been shocked by a police taser and have fully recovered.

Amnesty International Canada has been calling for a suspension of the use of tasers until studies can determine how they can be safely used. The organization repeated that call after two people died in one week after being shocked with tasers by police in October 2007. Amnesty International also worries that officers might be tempted to use these weapons too often if they believe they're not lethal. There are no rules of engagement, so officers employ tasers at their own discretion.