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Guide Note:
Tasers, non-lethal electroshock weapons used to subdue potentially dangerous subjects, are currently in use by an estimated 11,000 law enforcement agencies in 44 countries but increasing reports of Taser use on children, some as young as six years old, are seen as a cause for concern for some parents and organizations.The regulations surrounding Taser use vary among states and countries, but many have not banned their use on children despite warnings that an electrical shock of such magnitude could trigger a heart attack in youngsters, which was evidenced when a 14-year-old Chicago boy went into cardiac arrest after being Tasered in 2005. Taser International maintains that the device is safe to use on anyone who weighs over 60 pounds.
Tasers work by firing two small electrodes, which deliver 50,000 volts from up to 21 feet away. The resulting shock is meant to stun and incapacitate the recipient, but not cause any permanent damage.
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Fast Facts:
- The United States does not consider Tasers to be firearms
- The United Nations has deemed Taser use a form of torture
- Amnesty International alleges that Taser use is "inhumane"
- The Taser was invented by Jack Cover in 1969
- According to Amnesty International, Tasers have been responsible for 220 deaths in America from 2001-2007
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Quotes:
- "It felt like I couldn't breathe, they did mess up, obviously they did, because I'm underage and all I did was skip school, which is something everyone has done, and I know that for a fact."—12-year-old taser victim
- "If there's three officers, it's nothing to tell a 6-year-old holding a glass, if you feel threatened, 'Hey, here's a piece of candy, hey, here's a toy. Let the glass go.'"—Mother of six-year-old taser victim
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Tasered Children Questions
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Was Jack Covers invention the Taser a good thing for law enforcement or not? 3 AnswersI think the invention of the taser was a good thing for overall security, however local authorities should not be allowed to carry and use a potentially lethal ... read more -
OPEN THREAD: Tasered mom Audra Harmon 7 AnswersLet me start with an understatement by saying that I think the police officer could have handled things better. This officer should be punished, reprimanded or ... read more -
Open Thread: New XREP Taser 1 AnswerHe calls this the latest technology for resolving interpersonal conflict. I still suggest binding arbitration if possible. The projectile can be fired from a t... read more -
Will Jason Calacanis have children? 1 AnswerA bit of a disclaimer, I'm an early employee of Mahalo. On one of my trips to LA, I had my wife and son out to the Mahalo HQ (I live in Toronto) and Jason w... read more
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Ozark Missouri, July 2008
- YouTube: 16 Year old tasered 19 times after breaking his back in a fall (Time 2:52)

