Why Police Would Be Better Off With Stun Guns
In 2005, the Metro police in Nashville, Tennessee was sued by a family which alleged that the department was to blame for using a Taser weapon and causing a man’s death. Although a medical examiner eventually ruled out the allegation, it was more than enough to influence the law and restrict the use of Taser weapons for sergeants only.
A new law, however, has lifted the restriction and made Taser weapons available to all officers. The authorities believe that the use of Taser weapons will be beneficial overall. According to the News Channel 5 website, the Metro Department is in the opinion that the use of Taser Guns will diminish the chances of suspects or officers getting injured. They also believe that the accompanying recording devices will also help in keeping officers in line with regard to its use.
Definitely, the right time for using such weapons should be a concern, especially when considering recent events in Orange County. The LA Times reported two separate incidents when the use of stun guns caused the deaths of two inmates.
The grand jury of the State of Orange County Jails had suggested a ban for using stun guns in its annual report, which was released last June 2008. The first victim, Michael Patrick Lass, had died when deputies utilized a Taser in their efforts to subdue him. The second casualty, Jason Jesus Gomez, had slipped into a coma after being restrained also by Taser. He died last April 1, 2008 at the Intake Release Center.
The grand jury had cited this as a “cause of alarm”, and Sheriff Sandra Hutchens had then responded by banning the use of stun guns if there was still alternative means of subduing “overtly assaultive behavior”.
Of course, there are always two sides to a coin, and in some cases, the use of Taser weapons and the likes have proven to be advantageous. Consider, for instance, the WFSB website’s report on a failed burglary attempt in Vernon, Connecticut.
The police had received a tip some time after midnight about a burglary attempt and responded accordingly. The suspect, Juan Rafael Santiago, had fled upon the police’s arrival and was then pursued by foot. It took several uses of stun guns before the suspect was finally subdued.
He was brought to Rockville Hospital and treated there for minor injuries. Upon his release, he remains in the police’s custody with a $450,000 bond and is set to face previous and new charges.
Categories: Cool Gadgets, Self Defense Discussion Tags: Crime, police, stun gun
How a Taser Gun Works
A taser gun can be a valuable weapon for police officers who wish to catch their victims without having to engage in a chase. The gun itself is a frightening weapon: discharging around 50,000 volts of electricity, it has the capability to stun a would-be criminal and disable the person for about five seconds. According to the account of one police officer, that five seconds consists of feeling as though you are in a black tunnel, with a current coursing through your body that disables any movement and prevents you from fighting an officer or resisting arrest.
The pain, the officer says, comes from arching the back and tensing it while under the effects of the taser gun; the taser gun itself leaves bee-sting like marks and may often result in wound bleeding due to the probes that fly out of the taser gun and onto the back of the would-be criminal. Police officers often volunteer to have the taser gun used on them because they want to know the effects of it when they themselves have to use the guns on their subjects. Although the gun is reportedly safe, there have been deaths due to taser gun use.
How does the taser work? The 50,000 volts of electricity take on the central nervous system by overriding its control of the body. That is, the electricity prevents the brain from controlling the body: the taser imitates electronic pulses that match those used by the nerves; the nerves in question are those that transmit orders from the brain and to surrounding muscles. Electronic pulses are what cause muscles to contract. However, when the nerves that surround and transmit orders to muscles are flooded by electronic pulses that resemble their own, the normal signals that usually travel from the nerves to the muscles are drowned out. In effect, the muscles will start to contract uncontrollably.
The body, under the taser, is thus a bundle of muscles that cannot be moved voluntarily. Once subject to a taser, a person can collapse and will be disabled for a few minutes. Although recovery is fast, the collapse can provide a police officer with enough time to shackle the subject and keep him or her from running farther or attacking the officer.
How safe are taser guns? Although there have been deaths, taser manufacturers and police officers alike attest to the guns’ safety. If you are concerned about taser guns, you may want to talk to your police officer and ask about the tests that have been done with such guns. There is also literature on the subject available in popular science websites that you can browse and read on.
Categories: Cool Gadgets Tags: Crime, police, taser