Taser Gun - Safety Issues To Consider

Clinical studies have shown that there may be legitimate medical reasons why the taser gun should not be used by law enforcement officers. During an experiment at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, scientists stunned 11 pigs with the guns for two periods of 40 seconds, at 15 second intervals. All of the animals suffered heart rhythm problems and two later died. One of the pigs died within three minutes of being stunned. Scientists concluded that this casts doubt on the weapon's safety. Taser International responded by pointing out that the pigs weigh less than the average person.

However, it's the human impact that has shocked groups like Amnesty International. They claim that about 80% of the people on whom a taser is used by U.S. police are unarmed. The United Nations Committee Against Torture reports that the acute pain a taser gun can inflict can be construed as torture. In 1989, a Canadian study found that stun guns induced heart attacks in pigs with pacemakers. Ten years later, an American study concluded that weapons delivering a jolt weaker than those from tasers increased the risk of cardiac arrest in people with heart conditions.

Whether the taser gun is good or bad - it's definitely profitable. On February 14 th 2008, Taser International Inc., the world's largest maker of stun guns, said fourth-quarter profits doubled, aided by its first model designed for civilians and orders from the U.S. and foreign governments. That translates to a revenue increase of 61 percent, to $31 million. Three wrongful-death lawsuits against the company have been dismissed in California, and the company has won judgments or dismissals in 61 wrongful-death and personal-injury lawsuits through 2007. Taser International states there was a reduction in the rate of new and pending litigation in 2007.

There is no easy answer to the taser gun debate. While no one wants innocent people to die, we cannot ignore the benefits afforded to law enforcement by tasers. Thanks to these devices, they can apprehend suspects with little threat to themselves and the general public. It's also important to remember that the number of taser related deaths is relatively low. The issue continues to be debated, but until a decision is made, tasers will continue to be used.