I had a look at what Wikipedia has to say about tasers and found some interesting and also amusing stuff – although not necessarily having both qualities at the same time…
‘Taser and its supporters in the police community regularly attribute the cause of deaths that follow Tasering to “excited delirium”, a phenomenon in which agitated or disturbed individuals being apprehended by police respond in an irrational, bizarre and hyperactive manner. Critics argue that as this alleged condition only exists in relationship to being apprehended by police, its existence is dubious.’
Hmm…people do tend to get stressed out when apprehended by the Old Bill somewhat…
Police officers that patrol schools, including grade schools, in several U.S. states (including Kansas, Minnesota, Kentucky, and Florida), currently carry tasers. In 2004, the parents of a 6-year old boy in Miami sued the police department for tasering their child. The police said the boy was threatening to injure his own leg with a shard of glass, and claimed that using the taser was the only option to stop the boy from injuring himself.
Sheesh…6 years old…Don’t hurt yourself or I’ll…er…I’ll….hurt you…Child psychology at its best!
Supporters of taser use in schools argue that merely switching on the device, and threatening to use it, can be effective in frightening violent or uncooperative students into desisting from inappropriate behaviour, if verbal reprimands have not succeeded.
I’ll bet it’s effective. So is a gun FFS…
Taser devices are not considered firearms by the U.S. government. They can be legally carried (concealed or open) without a permit in 43 states.
Why am I not surprised…?
Filed under: Bizarre, Current affairs | Tagged: excited delirium, taser, US, Wikipedia | 1 Comment »