Reply #18: When you consider that the "normal"....

[DeSwiss]

...amount of current used in executions by states that used to use the electric chair is around 2,000 volts for 15 seconds, even if delivered in milliseconds, I don't think anyone can predict what the different outcomes will be upon a person whose been hit with 50,000 volts.

There was no independent research and analysis of these things that I know of, preceding the hawking of them to law enforcement agencies when they were first beginning to be used. And so far there have been many, many deaths and serious injuries caused by their misuse.

In one case last year, it was the clear stupidity of the officer involved that was evident, when he chose this method to subdue a man who had poured gasoline over himself previously. He knew the man was covered in gas, because he stood there and watched him do it. When the man caught afire, the police officer was stunned. He had no idea that could happen he said at the time. That doesn't say much for their understanding of how lethal a weapon they've got.

If it is to be used at all, then it should be a weapon of last resort, not an alternative to a gun, since they've demonstrated they can kill too. Cops should see it as a possible lessening the chance of death -- but its not a guarantee. To me, its like they've got this new toy and its no good if they don't get a chnace to use it. And it should be understood that they may end up killing a person instead. But Taser doesn't want to market it that way. Because that would be too much truth.

In another incident last year at UCLA, the rent-a-cops not only blasted away with this thing on an innocent student who had forgotten his ID (he was Arabic too as I recall), but they shocked him several times as was recorded by the cellphone cameras used by other students who were trying to get them to stop.

This is why I say that the cop's don't have a clue what the hell they're doing in my book. And they need a moratorium on these damned things until they do. Or ban the damn things altogether. IMHO

DeSwiss