Are Tasers Non Lethal Or Deadly Weapons?

There seems to be a lot of controversy surroundingTasers are not considered firearms in the United
the use of Tasers. There are articles in the newsStates and are legal in most states for civilian use.
about police officers abusing their use and deaths ofHowever, the United Nations sees it's use as a form
individuals after being shocked by such a device. Butof torture. I can understand how any stun gun or
if used correctly, they are non-lethal. Usually whenTaser could be seen as a form of torture if it is used
someone has died after being tasered, they haveover and over on the same individual. They are
been under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or have agetting shock wave after shock wave with no time
significant predisposed health problem. The otherto recuperate and I would consider that torture.
possible cause of death could be connected withHowever, if used once to gain control of the situation
being tasered several times in a short period of time.or escape from a situation, the individual will recover
The difference between the Taser and the stun gunwithin minutes.
is that the Taser shoots out 2 small barbed probesI believe anyone in law enforcement who is carrying
that are connected to the hand held weapon byany shock device as a weapon should, first and
insulated conductive wires. These barbs will goforemost, have it used on them so they know what
through up to 2 inches of clothing to attachthey are dealing with. If it is truly a non-lethal
themselves to the skin of the target, sending 50,000weapon, they should have no qualms about
volts of electricity through the body,which overridesexperiencing it's effects. Then they should have
the central nervous system, totally incapacitating thatadequate training as to when and how to use it and
person. The main benefit of course is that to use itwhat other options are available, especially in dealing
you do not have to be right next to the person aswith children.
you do with a stun gun. It can be shot from as farIn my opinion, the best use for the Taser is as a
away as 15 feet. So, actually, a Taser is a stun gundefense mechanism for men or women who want
that can disable someone from a distance.something more than pepper spray to protect
The Taser is an ingenious device for lawthemselves with. The Taser C2 is small and designed
enforcement officers to use instead of lethal guns. Ifor personal protection and can also be used in close
do not, however, believe they should be used oncontact as a stun device. It has a laser sight to make
children, although it is legal in most states. This issure you hit your target and actually, that laser alone
where a lot of controversy comes in. Tasermay be enough to deter any attack without having
International reports that it is safe to use on anyoneto deploy the Taser.
over 60 lbs. but there have been a few incidentsThere may be controversy in the overall use of the
when a police officer has used one on a child underTaser by police agencies, but as a personal
the age of 13, which blows my mind. An adult officerprotection device, it is probably the best option you
can't think of a kinder way to subdue an out ofhave to abort a possible attack and protect yourself
control child?and your loved ones.