Federal Bureaus Reject Stun Guns
Two divisions of the Department of Homeland Security have rejected the use of stun guns by law enforcement officials due to the potential risks associated with their use on suspects. The bans affect officials at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement bureau and the Customs and Border Protection bureau. Officials note that they are concerned about the safety of the devices, which emit electrical charges.
According to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, about 80 people have died after being shocked by stun guns since 1999, and autopsies have linked 11 deaths with stun guns, reported The Arizona Republic. Recent scrutiny has been stepped up by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and other groups, while Taser International continues to defend their safety.
However, Taser still faces litigation from officer Salvatore Dimiceli, who claims that the company failed to provide adequate information about the device and safety precautions. The National Institute of Justice has solicited proposals for additional studies of stun guns.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from USA Today (03/18/05) P. 3A; Johnson, Kevin .