Fears grow over Taser gun expansion

[shodan]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/09/01/ntaser101.xml

Taser electric stun guns are being made available to hundreds more police in England and Wales from today.


Tasers deliver powerful electric shocks
Officers with little or no firearms training will be able to use the 50,000 volt devices to defend themselves or the public in situations of extreme violence – even if aggressors are not armed.

The move is part of a year-long trial across 10 forces.

It has been opposed by human rights groups, notably Amnesty International, on the grounds that the guns can be lethal.

Until now, Tasers have only been available to highly-trained firearms officers.

I'm sick of the police and their 'real life video game' mentality. Does nobody in the uk wonder where the money's coming from for all these toys and weapons to use against the public.

[notaslave]

They should only be allowed tasers if we get to play with one too. Much as I see peace and non-violence to be the only logical way forward, I do have sadistic undertones. :D:D:D

[cf24]

Makes me sick that we are funding our own demise...

[blane777]

Nope i certainly don't "Wonder" where the money comes from..it comes straight from us stupid taxpayers ! Paying for our own control ffs !

[lydia78]

This was in the sunday mail, makes me feel physically sick.:mad:

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23410650-details/Now%20police%20are%20told%20they%20can%20use%20Tas er%20guns%20on%20children/article.do

Now police are told they can use Taser guns on children
02.09.07



Police have been given the go-ahead to use Taser stun guns against children.

The relaxing of restrictions on the use of the weapons comes despite warnings that they could trigger a heart attack in youngsters.

Until now, Tasers - which emit a 50,000-volt electric shock - have been used only by specialist officers as a "non lethal" alternative to firearms.

However, they can now be used against all potentially violent offenders even if they are unarmed.

It is the decision not to ban their use against minors that is likely to raise serious concerns.

Home Office Police Minister Tony McNulty said medical assessments had confirmed the risk of death or serious injury from Tasers was "low".

But he failed to mention Government advisers had also warned of a potential risk to children.

The Defence Scientific Advisory Council medical committee told the Home Office that not enough was known about the health risks of using the weapons against children.

Tasers work by firing metal barbs into the skin which then discharge an electrical charge which is designed to disable someone long enough to allow police to detain them safely.

The committee, which is made up of independent scientists and doctors, said that limited research suggested there was a risk children could suffer "a serious cardiac event".

It recommended that officers should be "particularly vigilant" for any Taser-induced adverse response and said guidance should be amended to "identify children and adults of small stature" as being at potentially greater risk from the cardiac effects of Tasers.

The Government scientists were also asked to test whether the weapons could cause a miscarriage if used on a pregnant woman.

While not saying whether police would be allowed to Taser an expectant mother, the Home Office said the DSAC committee had "specifically asked" for computer simulations to be carried out to analyse the effect on "a pregnant female".

Amnesty International claims Tasers have been responsible for 220 deaths in America since 2001. Many cities and police forces there have banned their use against minors.

Two years ago in Chicago a 14-year-old boy went into cardiac arrest after being shot with one. Medics had to use a defibrillator four times to resuscitate him.

Taser International, the American firm that makes the device, said tests on pigs suggested the weapons were safe.

The Association of Chief Police Officers, which issues guidance to forces on the use of weapons, said Tasers would be made "readily available" for "conflict management" at incidents of "violence and threats of violence of such severity that they will need force".

Non-firearms officers in ten forces will be trained to use the weapons. Every incident they are involved in will be assessed over a 12-month trial period.

[cf24]

This disgusts me, I hate the legal thugs anyway, but this is going to make them even worse, and they can use them against unarmed children in the street! This will further alienate the ol bill against the public, and cause more resentment. I cant stand the thought of these arseholes with bad attitudes patrolling with tasers, can you imagine the buzz some of them will get?

Didn't know so many fatalities had occurred with them also, this is wrong, wrong, wrong to be putting them into the hands of untrained idiots for non lethal situations.:mad:

[shodan]

Yes this is very disturbing stuff. They killed a guy round here with one when they first got them, it was in the local news, he was sat in an armchair, harmless and outnumbered by the officers. And we've all heard or experienced the horror stories with police without tasers, jesus, now they are getting tasers and little spy helicopters, and the rest.