The AMA found that the Tasers, which have become a common tool for law enforcement, have a role to play and that prudent use can save lives during interventions that would otherwise involve the use of deadly force. However, the association also had some concerns about their use, KPHO-TV reported.
The AMA's report detailed concerns about the use of Tasers in three general areas: They are used too frequently and at lower levels on the use-of-force continuum than indicated; appropriate training and supervision of Taser use is lacking in some jurisdictions; and they may contribute to the death of suspects, either directly or indirectly.
Basically the AMA is saying three things:
1) The research shows that Tasers are generally safe.
2) However, sometimes Tasers can kill people, directly and indirectly, and more research needs to be done to develop better guidelines.
3) Police are misusing Tasers and need better training, supervision and oversight.
Hardly a reason to hate on the AMA. To the contrary, it sounds like sensible criticism. Your anger really should be directed at the police agencies, their training programs and culture.
Tasers are weapons. Like Warpy said, their use should be treated the same as firing a gun. Anytime you use force against someone, no matter how generally nonlethal that force is, you run the risk of seriously injuring or killing that person. Would you rather the police beat people about the heads with batons or shoot them?