The debate over the use of tasers by law enforcement always seems to heat up whenever there has been a taser death. Taser guns are an electric shock weapons that temporarily incapacitates the nerve transmission, disrupting voluntary muscle control. Tasers are used worldwide by many countries; some consider them to be firearms or safe police self-defense weapons, while others may view them as harmful killers. Tasers are the registered trademark of the company Taser International, who is also the original manufacturer, and the word is actually an acronym that stands for Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle. Created in 1974 by Jack Coker and later improved upon with the help of Tom Smith, who ...view middle of the document...
Some people’s views about the legality and the use of tasers in various parts of the world tell a different view from each side on this issue. A human rights organization Amnesty International has taken a stand on the use of tasers and says that they amount to "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, which is absolutely prohibited under international law". This coming from many case being brought to them on the issue were tasers are believed to have caused death or severe injury (Hasse). Some other organizations have voiced their concern as well, specifically on constant upgrading on taser weapons. Believing them to cause extreme pain on a person almost as a form of torture, and that in certain cases, it could cause death, as shown by studies that have been done.
Some experiments were conducted by the Cook County Hospital in Chicago to reach a verdict and make a report on the use of tasers. Scientists stunned 11 pigs with the taser guns for about two hours, for two periods of 40 seconds each after every 15 second interval. All animals suffered heart rhythm problems and two died within three minutes of receiving the electricity jolt. Taser International claims that the study findings do not apply to humans, as the pigs weigh lesser. Also, they are supposed to be used with personal control. It is not expected that an officer will stun someone repeatedly for two hours, after every 15 second interval, just to keep him subdued (Davis).
The use of tasers have some many supporters as well, the chairman of Taser International Tom Smith had this to say. In taser's defense, "Pepper spray goes on for hours and hours, hitting someone with a baton breaks limbs, shooting someone with a firearm causes permanent damage, even punching and kicking. The intent of those tools is to inflict pain. With the taser, the intent is not to inflict pain; it is to end the confrontation without inury. When it's over, it's over" (France-Presse). This brings up very good points on it use, law enforcement as well generally finds it to be a better weapon than guns and batons. A counterargument used to the death controversies by the police departments; that their in-custody deaths cannot be classified as taser deaths, as they could have been caused by many other things being used as well and it is hard to point at only one cause directly.
There have been a number of situations where the usefulness of these tasers has helped to stop a greater threat from happening. For example, the Greek Police Special Forces had used these guns to end the A310 Turkish Airline hijacking at Athens International Airport in March 2003. Where the person was attempting to hold hostages and claimed to have bombs on the plane (Maillie). A very thin line has been established between the good and the bad over the use of tasers. If the specific purpose for which they are used is achieved, there are arguments in favor of tasers. However, if something is not done correctly or is overly compensated, the same...
