NCJ Number
36303
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 24 Issue: 8 Dated: (AUGUST 1976) Pages: 22,24-26,28
Date Published
1976
Length
5 pages
Annotation
CRITICAL EVALUATION OF THE TASER PUBLIC DEFENDER, A NONLETHAL WEAPON WHICH FIRES HIGH VOLTAGE DARTS OR PROBES WHICH EMBED THEMSELVES IN THE VICTIM CAUSING TEMPORARY PARALYSIS.
Abstract
A BRIEF REVIEW OF TWO REPORTS ON NONLETHAL WEAPONS IS FOLLOWED BY DETAILS OF THE TASER OPERATION AND DISCUSSIONS OF THE ELECTRONIC 'STUN GUN' AS BOTH A DEFENSIVE-OFFENSIVE AND AN OFFENSIVE WEAPON. THE AUTHOR'S MAIN CRITICISM OF THE WEAPON IS THAT, WHILE NO POLICE DEPARTMENTS HAVE REPORTED USING IT AS THE MEANS TO APPREHEND A CRIMINAL, IN THE HANDS OF CRIMINALS IT CAN CAUSE DEATH BY INDIRECT MEANS IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR A CORONER TO DETERMINE THE ACTUAL CAUSE OF DEATH.