Should tasers be banned or not?

After having read about tasers in the Edmonton Journal, I think the public was deceived about the safety of them.  The report stated that the RCMP decided they were safe based upon a report from the RCMP itself. 

I think tasers could be a viable alternative to guns in an attempt to subdue potentially violent persons without causing permanent injury. 

The thing I find is that with topics like this, a lot of people have opinions that are not necessarily informed.  I think if the government, as well as outside organizations measuring health effects of tasers do a comprehensive study, then maybe we can make an informed decision.

Too many people make brash decisions without the correct information.  Tasers are just such a topic.  We are all allowed to have our own opinion, but it is our responsibility to learn more before we can state our opinions with confidence.

Now I am researching tasers. 

My initial research indicates tasers are overused, but the Taser company has won every case where they have been accused of causing death (more than 50 so far).  Also it indicates that while tasers can be useful as an initial shock to show you mean business, they should not be used multiple times because it can cause heart damage.

I think that tasers are kind of the easy way out.  Police and law enforcement officers should be trained in aikido and other martial arts which can subdue people rapidly without causing permanent physical injury.  Also the training required demands more respect and discipline than just another fancy piece of technology. 

I think we keep looking to technology and finding that every advance has its flaws.  Nothing is going to be perfect, but personally I would prefer to have no tasers and have police receive better training and not rely on technology.  Cops want their toys…doesn’t mean we should just spend $50,000 a piece to give it to them.  Maybe spend some of that money on other things?

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