UK POLICE ARE GIVEN THE 'OK' TO TASER CHILDREN

Posted By: Susoni <Send E-Mail>

Date: Thursday, 14 February 2008, 2:25 a.m.

        My Father was a policeman. He caught many criminals worthy of being caught but he would not have liked this 'Taser' idea. He valued civil rights in this country, as do I. His philosophy was, never to point a gun at anyone. If you felt it was necessary to point that gun, then you had better plan on using it.

        They're tasering pregnant women at traffic stops and six year old children daily. They Taser people who dispute their bills in check-out lanes at Wal-Mart. We are all potential victims of the Taser. It's as if they've gone control freak crazy. "Hey, go use that taser on 'REAL' criminals."

        I pity the poor fool who would taser one of mine.Hell hath no fury like a Mom.

        Susoni

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        Now police are told they can use Taser guns on children

        Police have been given the go-ahead to use Taser stun guns against children.

        The relaxing of restrictions on the use of the weapons comes despite warnings that they could trigger a heart attack in youngsters.

        Until now, Tasers - which emit a 50,000-volt electric shock - have been used only by specialist officers as a "non lethal" alternative to firearms.

        The committee, which is made up of independent scientists and doctors, said that limited research suggested there was a risk children could suffer "a serious cardiac event".

        It recommended that officers should be "particularly vigilant" for any Taser-induced adverse response and said guidance should be amended to "identify children and adults of small stature" as being at potentially greater risk from the cardiac effects of Tasers.

        The Government scientists were also asked to test whether the weapons could cause a miscarriage if used on a pregnant woman.

        While not saying whether police would be allowed to Taser an expectant mother, the Home Office said the DSAC committee had "specifically asked" for computer simulations to be carried out to analyse the effect on "a pregnant female".

        Amnesty International claims Tasers have been responsible for 220 deaths in America since 2001. Many cities and police forces there have banned their use against minors.

        Two years ago in Chicago a 14-year-old boy went into cardiac arrest after being shot with one. Medics had to use a defibrillator four times to resuscitate him.

        Taser International, the American firm that makes the device, said tests on pigs suggested the weapons were safe.

        The Association of Chief Police Officers, which issues guidance to forces on the use of weapons, said Tasers would be made "readily available" for "conflict management" at incidents of "violence and threats of violence of such severity that they will need force".

        Non-firearms officers in ten forces will be trained to use the weapons. Every incident they are involved in will be assessed over a 12-month trial period.