Sheriff supports bill allowing Michigan residents to own stun guns
Stun guns, commonly known by the brand name Taser, are less lethal than handguns, Bezotte told the newspaper, “so I don't see why that would be that big of an issue if it's properly used.”
Stun guns are legal in Michigan only for law enforcement personnel. Michigan is one of only seven states to not allow them for civilian use.
Though Tasers are less lethal than guns, some people question their safety.
A Belleville man died last year in Washtenaw County’s Superior Township after police used a Taser to subdue him.
An autopsy found the death of 31-year-old Stanley Jackson Jr. of Belleville was caused by sudden cardiac arrest and Tasering, but prosecutors said they found no wrongdoing by deputies or emergency medical personnel after they reviewed a Michigan State Police investigation of the case.
An Oakland, Caif., man also recently died after being Tasered during a struggle with police. The cause of his death has not been determined.
Read the article in the Daily Press & Argus.
Watch a stun gun demonstration video below:
Comments
Ming Bucibei
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 11:37 p.m.
1) i would rather be zapped than shot!!, or stabbed with a blade, also i would rather be shot with a pellet gun or bb gun than a real gun!! 2) i would like a stun cane to use against attacking dogs ( i have been attacked a number of times in the past while walking) and would prefer it to a blade or a pistol!! Ming Bucibei
johnnya2
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 10:04 p.m.
Actually the real problem with stun guns is the fact they are deemed non-lethal. Most people would never allow themselves to be hit with a hand gun, BUT it is common for people to be stun gunned purposely. In many police academies they actually use the weapons on trainees. This may be fine for people in shape or who have been to a doctor for a physical, but a lay person you do not know their health could be a problem. I also would expect to see "Jack***" style teenagers trying these stun guns out. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxNk988I8rc&feature=related" rel='nofollow'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxNk988I8rc&feature=related</a> I am sure there will be more videos all over you tube if this is passed. There is another crime related reason NOT to allow them. If a criminal uses a stun gun in the commission of a crime, it is NOT considered a deadly weapon. It can completely change the charges filed against a criminal.
Ricebrnr
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 11:13 p.m.
See I don't think anyone with any current weapons knowledge who calls this class of weapons "non-lethal". Pretty much the more accurate and accepted term is less-than-lethal. As for those teens see my post above regarding misinformation.
Daveguy
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 9:22 p.m.
I don't really see the point of a taser/stun gun other than MAYBE the scenario where all you need to do is incapacitate an attacker long enough to run away. They get stunned, down for a moment, and then back up, and likely with more adrenaline flowing through them than before. Mace would probably be a wiser choice all around over a stun gun as far as defense and public safety is concerned. For home defense you're never going to beat a .357.
a2citizen
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 1:39 a.m.
I think you would miss aiming your pistol before I miss pointing my shotgun in the longest possible (but realistic) shot in my house. That would be about 17 feet max. <a href="http://homestudy.ihea.com/shootingskills/17shotgun.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://homestudy.ihea.com/shootingskills/17shotgun.htm</a> <a href="http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110613050709AAJTszX" rel='nofollow'>http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110613050709AAJTszX</a>
Ricebrnr
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 11:16 p.m.
And arrgghh!!! You still have to aim shotguns! At room length distances shot patterns can still only be the size of a fist. You most certainy can miss
Ricebrnr
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 11:15 p.m.
One scenario is for those who understand and accept self defense tools and have made the decision that lethal force is not for them. For those people, such as my wife, who appreciates that I carry a gun, will not for herself. She is seriously considering a Taser though.
a2citizen
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 10:08 p.m.
I prefer a 20 gauge, side by side, 20 inch barrel loaded with magnums. You just point it...you don't have to aim.
Ricebrnr
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 9:02 p.m.
Brother! The amount of misinformation in these comments is staggering, not that the article is any better. First let's separate Tasers and stun guns. - <a href="http://personalsafetyadvisor.com/stun-guns-vs-tasers/" rel='nofollow'>http://personalsafetyadvisor.com/stun-guns-vs-tasers/</a> Deaths "by" Taser, funny how there's usually something like massive amounts of drugs in the system involved...<a href="http://www.taser.com/research-and-safety/field-use-and-statistics" rel='nofollow'>http://www.taser.com/research-and-safety/field-use-and-statistics</a> Next criminals using Tasers specifically - <a href="http://store.taser.com/taser-c2-p116.aspx" rel='nofollow'>http://store.taser.com/taser-c2-p116.aspx</a> Note that 1 anyone purchasing one even outside of MI has to pass a background check by Taser Intl, on top of any criminal checks by your locality. In MI's case the CPL process. Once you have one you have to activate it by entering an activation code. Can they be stolen? Sure but things being stolen is not a justification of denying things to law abiding citizens. Unlawful use - each Taser cartridge has serialized confetti in it. Any use of the Taser will leave evidence in the form of tagents around that can be traced to the owner. Finally at a $500 or more buy in criminals are not likely to go out and attempt to purchase these devices for mischief. As with CPLs, training, holsters and decent firearms criminals are not likely to invest in those items. so much more if you're truly interested.
Ricebrnr
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 11:10 p.m.
Don't forget to add the costs of training and CPL application fees on top of that price too.
Ricebrnr
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 9:11 p.m.
true, last I looked thought I was looking at the packages that include extra cartridges, holsters and training stuff. I forgot to mention you have to call Taser and register your product before you get an activation code. Also the civilian versions are basically fire and forget. They limit overuse by producing a longer pulse without the easy capability of firing over and over again. The idea is to fire it. Incapacitate the attacker, put it down and run away. Taser will give you a new one after the police etc have handled things. Taser units also contain a data box that stores when the units where used. Again limiting abuse.
Smart Logic
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 9:06 p.m.
Agreed for the most part, though you can get a Taser C2 for less than $300 shipped. That puts it in the range of cheaper firearms, unfortunately.
JustMyOpinion
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 7:55 p.m.
This is a bad idea. Tasers as police weapons were intended to be non lethal force in the place of firing a gun. Now they are rather ubiquitously used in instances where officers would never have used a gun were the taser unavailable. The result is that people are being tased unreasonably, and people are dying as a result. Its is in many circumstances lethal force, and science tells us that it is no where near as rare as manufacturers would have people believe; electrical current running through your body can and does have varying impacts, up to and including death, on the population at large. It's better than being shot in many cases, however, it is not better than being wrestled to the ground, chased down, or tripped for anyone other than the police. It's simply unreasonable to use where lethal force would not have been otherwise used. For the general public, its a nightmare. Criminals tasing people, imagine that. Now think of a sadistic criminal tasing someone repeatedly for fun. How about a drunk/jerk/kid tasking people because they think its funny. Now imagine its you or your child on the receiving end and dies. Plausible and likely. I would consider being threatened by someone with a taser the same as being threatened by someone carrying a gun, and respond accordingly. Would the law look at it that way?
Nephilim
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 3:21 a.m.
If what you are saying is what would possibly or probably happen, don't you think it would have reared up by now in the other 43 states that currently allow them for civilians? It's the same band stand scare tactic that was implemented when Florida decided to go to a very lax ccw policy. There were people, such as you, preaching that the blood was going to flow in then gutters and in reality, crime dropped remarkably. There was no blood flowing in the streets, there were no shoot outs by soccer moms over parking spots. It's the same with this.
Daveguy
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 6:06 p.m.
Does the guy that held you up and stole your wallet with a knife or handgun receive the same charges as the guy that did so using a stun gun/taser?
Tru2Blu76
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 4:37 p.m.
Proper use, proper use, proper use!! While it seems contradictory to have a "shall issue" concealed pistol license available to Michigan citizens but deny them the use of "tasers" - it really boils down to the fear that tasers might be "too easy" to use. Like pistols and even pepper spray: some significant training must be taken for proper, safe and legal application of this weapon. Lets remember, assaults are a high-stress situation and having a lethal pistol may be the best way to stop or repel an attacker. Tasers don't always work because of specific physical limitations of electricity. An attempt to use a taser in heavy rain or in winter when the attacker may be wearing heavy / multi-layered clothing could fail or even injure the user. Actually, the best overall strategy is that used by law enforcement in the field: have available a pistol, a taser and pepper spray. (And even then, you have to have time to decide which to use.) Overall: I think tasers are an idea which must be tried out. If there's a significant increase in the criminal use of tasers, then the law can (and will ) be repealed but we'll still have pepper spray and pistols available to us.
Ricebrnr
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 1:08 p.m.
In Michigan, can I carry a self-defense spray in my car or on my person for protection? MCL 750.224d Yes, but only if it is either: Not more than 35 grams of any combination of orthochlorobenzalmalononitrile and inert ingredients (CS gas); or A solution containing not more than 10% oleoresin capsicum (pepper spray) and is used in the protection of your person or property which would justify the use of physical force. It cannot be sold to a minor. <a href="http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,4643,7-123-1586_27094-10953--,00.html" rel='nofollow'>http://www.michigan.gov/msp/0,4643,7-123-1586_27094-10953--,00.html</a>
Ricebrnr
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 2:54 a.m.
What? That is incorrect
whatsupwithMI
Fri, Oct 14, 2011 : 12:58 a.m.
pepper spray is not available at this time. Not in this state.
Ignatz
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 4:35 p.m.
Great! A new legal weapon for the criminals and law abiding alike. This will be a boon for pranksters, after all, it's non-lethal.
Smart Logic
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 8:11 p.m.
I doubt it. Do you really see people pepper spraying each other for fun?
Ron Granger
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 4:34 p.m.
I like that the law would require training to carry a stun gun, but I think it may go a bit too far in requiring a CCW permit. Pepper spray is always an option.
Smart Logic
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 8:17 p.m.
redwingshero, in that context so are pots and pans. A spork can be lethal as well. That doesn't mean we shouldn't control access to devices we know will be used against others, whether in aggression or self defense. I'm a big advocate of the Second Amendment but also believe in practical control to keep as many as possible out of the wrong hands.
redwingshero
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 5:04 p.m.
Fists and feet can be lethal weapons, we don't require permits for them...
xmo
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 4:21 p.m.
In the hands of law abiding citizens their is no problem. Yes, they can kill and injure people but so can Hayrides at Local Farms but they continue to function. So why not Stun Gun/Tasers?
Daveguy
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 6:10 p.m.
Hayrides don't function as self-defense tools.
redwingshero
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 5:03 p.m.
BAM!
blugoose
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 3:55 p.m.
I know this might shock everyone, but this AA.com article seems slightly stilted against Tasers. Mention two unrelated incidents involving a Taser, one in which the cause of death has not even been determined yet. Fail to mention the thousands of injuries and confrontations the mere presence (not even use) of the Taser has avoided for the thousands of officers who carry them and the suspects. If properly trained private citizens can carry lethal weapons legally, they should be able to choose these.
redwingshero
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 5:10 p.m.
Most people that I know that use them ie. law enforcement, don't call them non-lethal, but less-lethal. Strange how all the talk is on the taser users and not the clowns who put law enforcement in a position to need to deploy them. Common sense would dictate not being a knuckle-head...
Ron Granger
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 4:32 p.m.
And yet, people regularly die after being "tazed" by "non-lethal" tasers. In many cases there is significant pressure to list a different cause of death. The "non-lethal" marketing causes some to believe they are harmless and leads to their over-use. It is common sense- shock the heart with electricity and it sometimes stops.
redwingshero
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 3:33 p.m.
Hey Cabelas, Go ahead and put me down for a pair of those taser knuckles you wear as gloves. Just keep them on hold until this bill passes. With enought money, I can become Batman... Great analogy Smart Logic, I like it.
Jhonny
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 4:07 p.m.
I could be the walrus.
Smart Logic
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 3:30 p.m.
It's about time. We're allowed to go through the process and get concealed pistol licenses and carry pistols for self defense, but have not been allowed to carry non-lethal defense mechanisms that use electrical current. That's like outlawing wine coolers while allowing liquor sales.
Tesla
Thu, Oct 13, 2011 : 2:37 p.m.
Don't Tase Me Bro!