Thomas A. Swift Electric Rifle (TASER)
Written by: CarlaPR April 3rd, 2009 General | leave a response
Tasers have always made me uncomfortable. The idea of being electrocuted scares me. This does NOT look comfortable.
I understand the appeal of the taser. The police can subdue a violent person without (theoretically) permanently injuring them or having to use force. Being a policeman or policewoman is dangerous, and anything that can help preserve their safety is beneficial. Tasers seem like they should be a good alternative to using guns.
However, all the articles about deaths caused by tasers concerns me very much. According to Amnesty International USA, over 90 people in North America have died after being tasered.
“Nobody is entirely sure whether the Taser caused their deaths, or if a confluence of unique medical factors was the culprit. For all their dramatic power, there is a surprising lack of scientific research documenting the physiological impact of the Taser charge. Yet for years the weapon has been promoted to law enforcement and civilians as a safe alternative to lethal force.”
I have to wonder whether adequate research has been done in this case. Tasers can’t be a better alternative than guns if people are still dying.
I would argue that more research needs to be done and more regulation needs to be implemented. Paul Kennedy, head the Commission for Complaints Against the RCMP, recommended that officers with less than five years’ experience not operate the tasers. Perhaps the RCMP could restrict the usage to members of SWAT or other high-risk task forces where there is more likelihood of encountering violence.
What do you guys think? Shoot me a comment!
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April 3rd, 2009 at 3:34 pm
I’m not gonna lie Carla, I just had a group meeting and my brain is fried so I did not read your blogs thoroughly… BUT I am picking up what you’re laying down! Tasers are a No-No! Violence breeds violence, it is just upping the anty. And your strong Grant MacEwan writing skills are evident! Go Carla!
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:33 pm
I think in order to examine this issue fully you have to balance the mortality and morbidity that results from the use of tasers with the mortality and morbidity that is prevented by using tasers instead of other methods. I think if you really go into detail that tasers have a very good chance of, in the long run, preventing injury and mortality. Tasers obviously produce less injury then using guns and probably prevent injury when compared to physically retraining many people. I saw a violent patient at the RAH take 7 guards to restrain him, he looked like he got hit by a bus afterwards and he bit one of the guards. It would be an interesting subject of study for someone in…my…area of study…hmmm, to the epi-cave.
PS I`m still not convinced to vote for you.
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Thanks for the comments!
Maeghan, do you think that other methods of restraint are preferrable?