Stun guns stir debate
Updated: February 5, 2013
SPRINGFIELD -- Stun guns are stirring up debate. One lawmaker says he thinks they're too dangerous.
Senator Dan Duffy wants police to cut down on how often they're used saying they're just used too much on the streets. This comes after someone he knew died because of two shocks from one.
It's just an idea right now, no bills or paperwork are on file. But Duffy says he wants to figure out a way to control how much force officers use in the field.
Law enforcement officials say tasers are completely safe. They all have to go through special training and take a hit themselves.
Experts say it's a rare case someone dies, and it's usually because of another health issue or a reaction from being on drugs. There's already a different bill on the table which would track the number of items officers pull out or use tasers. That's to determine how, when and on whom they're being used.
Police in Springfield and deputies at the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office already do that voluntarily. They say they use one less than 10% of the times it's actually drawn on a suspect, so it serves as more of a scare tactic than anything.
Senator Dan Duffy wants police to cut down on how often they're used saying they're just used too much on the streets. This comes after someone he knew died because of two shocks from one.
It's just an idea right now, no bills or paperwork are on file. But Duffy says he wants to figure out a way to control how much force officers use in the field.
Law enforcement officials say tasers are completely safe. They all have to go through special training and take a hit themselves.
Experts say it's a rare case someone dies, and it's usually because of another health issue or a reaction from being on drugs. There's already a different bill on the table which would track the number of items officers pull out or use tasers. That's to determine how, when and on whom they're being used.
Police in Springfield and deputies at the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office already do that voluntarily. They say they use one less than 10% of the times it's actually drawn on a suspect, so it serves as more of a scare tactic than anything.
