Amnesty Calls for Taser Suspension
"New York (Reuters) - Human rights group Amnesty International called on U.S. law enforcement agencies on Tuesday to suspend use of Taser electric-shock weapons, demanding an independent inquiry into the devices, which Amnesty says have contributed to more than 70 deaths.
"The call comes amid booming sales of the weapons, which deliver a 50,000-volt shock that causes victims to lose control of their muscles ...
"According to Amnesty, U.S. police are using Tasers routinely on unarmed suspects, where lethal force would never be justified. It says the weapons have been used on children under age 16, as well as on old and mentally ill people.
"Amnesty also claims the weapons raise the risk of heart failure in cases where people are agitated or under the effects of drugs or have underlying health problems. It claims more than 70 people have died in the United States and Canada in the past four years in Taser-related incidents."
Full text
Amnesty International's report on the use of tasers in the USA also cites several cases in which parents have been prosecuted for child cruelty after using stun weapons to discipline their children. Stun weapons have also been reportedly used during the commission of crimes, or as instruments of torture or abuse, including of women by abusive partners or former partners. Amnesty International's report recommends that the sale of stun weapons for private use be subject to strict controls.
[My emphasis above - N]
"New York (Reuters) - Human rights group Amnesty International called on U.S. law enforcement agencies on Tuesday to suspend use of Taser electric-shock weapons, demanding an independent inquiry into the devices, which Amnesty says have contributed to more than 70 deaths.
"The call comes amid booming sales of the weapons, which deliver a 50,000-volt shock that causes victims to lose control of their muscles ...
"According to Amnesty, U.S. police are using Tasers routinely on unarmed suspects, where lethal force would never be justified. It says the weapons have been used on children under age 16, as well as on old and mentally ill people.
"Amnesty also claims the weapons raise the risk of heart failure in cases where people are agitated or under the effects of drugs or have underlying health problems. It claims more than 70 people have died in the United States and Canada in the past four years in Taser-related incidents."
Full text
Amnesty International's report on the use of tasers in the USA also cites several cases in which parents have been prosecuted for child cruelty after using stun weapons to discipline their children. Stun weapons have also been reportedly used during the commission of crimes, or as instruments of torture or abuse, including of women by abusive partners or former partners. Amnesty International's report recommends that the sale of stun weapons for private use be subject to strict controls.
[My emphasis above - N]
Nora posted item above at 2:48 AM | Permalink
2 Comments:
http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Police-get-the-green-light-for-stun-guns/2004/11/19/1100838220563.html
Australia: Stun guns that disable offenders with 50,000-volt shocks will be issued to more than 100 Victorian police officers after the State Government approved their wider use.
Taser are doing nicely. They also did well out of the UK's approval of the weapon, apparently.
"Taser stock closed on Nasdaq at $50.915 on Monday, up from $13.73 at the end of last year."
http://wireservice.wired.com/wired/story.asp?section=Breaking&storyId=956873
And I read in the Guardian's 'Wrap' today, that "a Sun employee was blasted by a 'crime-busting' Taser gun yesterday in an effort to persuade the paper's readers of the merits of the weapon. The Sun wants every police officer to carry one of the guns, which fire a 21ft harpoon with a tip that inflicts a paralysing electric shock".
Every police officer, no less.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,5-2004560044,,00.html
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