Medical studies so far on the effects of Tasers have either been limited in scope or unduly influenced by the weapons' primary manufacturer. No study has adequately examined the impact of Tasers on potentially at-risk individuals -- people who have medical conditions, take prescription medications, are mentally ill or are under the influence of narcotics. Rigorous, independent, impartial study of their use and effects is urgently needed to determine what role Tasers may have played in the 351 deaths and to determine appropriate guidelines for future Taser use.

Given the unresolved safety concerns, Amnesty International recommends that police departments either suspend the use of Tasers and stun guns pending further safety research or limit their use to situations where officers would otherwise be justified in resorting to firearms.

Taser Overview

More Background Information on Tasers

Taser Reports and Briefings by Amnesty International

• Dec 2008:  Less than Lethal (PDF)

  Read the press release

• Sept 2007: Amnesty International briefing to the U.S. Justice Department inquiry into deaths following discharges from Tasers: Briefing (PDF) | Public Statement | AI Statement on Justice Department's Interim Report (June 2008) | AIUSA applauds launch of Justice Department inquiry (June 2006)
• March 2006 report: Amnesty International's Continuing Concerns About Taser Use (PDF) | Press Release
• Novemeber 2004 report" Excessive and Lethal Force? Amnesty International's Concerns About Deaths and Ill-treatment Involving Police Use of Tasers (PDF)
• "Aftershocks" (Amnesty Magazine)

Taser Policy Recommendations and Campaigning Tools

• List of Deaths Occurring after Individuals were Struck by Taser in Police Custody from June 2001 to August 2008
• What You Can Do to Make Sure Your City Doesn’t Abuse Tasers
• Recommendations to Law Enforcement Agencies on Taser Use
• Case Study: The Death of Darryl Turner

Personal Tasers

Amnesty International believes Tasers and other electro-shock weapons should not be sold to members of the public, whose use of the device cannot be monitored, constrained or accounted for. Civilian Tasers have been used in domestic abuse, theft and other crimes.

• AIUSA statement on personal (civilian) stun guns (Taser C2 and others)
• Law and Disorder Radio: Taser International Unveils Newest Civilian Stun Device (MP3; item begins at 2:22)

Taser DISCUSSIONS

NPR's Diane Rehm Show on Tasers, December 5, 2007

• USA Program Director Dalia Hashad (Real Audio , Windows Meida).

United Nations Documents on Use-of-Force Guidelines for Law Enforcement Agencies

• Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials
• Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials

Tasers on Video

Viewer discretion is advised -- graphic content.

• March 20, 2008, Charlotte, NC – Darryl Turner was struck by a Taser after being in an argument with his store manager. He was shocked for 37 seconds, and then shocked again, and later died. Video
• December 20, 2007, Daytona Beach, FL - Elizabeth Beeland was struck by a Taser after she became loud and unruly at a Best Buy store. Video
• November 18, 2007, Trotwood, OH - Valreca Redden was struck by a Taser while pregnant. Police claim that they did not know she was pregnant at the time. Video
• October 14, 2007, Vancouver, BC - Robert Dziekanski became agitated after waiting ten hours in the Vancouver International Airport. Police shocked Dziekanski with a Taser multiple times, and soon after he was pronounced dead. Video
• September 17, 2007, Gainesville, FL - Andrew Meyer persistently questioned Senator John Kerry at a university forum. University of Florida police tried to escort him from the auditorium and later struck him with a Taser for resisting arrest. Video | Statement | Statement on report on incident
• September 14, 2007, UT - Jared Massey was struck by a Taser for refusing to sign a speeding ticket. Video
• September 2, 2007, Warren, OH - Heidi Gill got into an altercation with a bartender and mistakenly got into the wrong car while waiting for her friend to drive her home. When she refused to get out of the vehicle, she was struck by a Taser multiple times. Video
• November 23, 2006, Austin, TX - Eugene Snelling was pulled out of his car after trying to get his license and registration. He was struck by a Taser less than a minute later. Video
• November 14, 2006, Los Angeles, CA - Mostafa Tabatabainejad, a student at UCLA, neglected to show his student identification card at the library. He was then asked to leave, and when he refused he was struck by a Taser multiple times. Video
• November 13, 2006, Sheffield Lake, OH - Kristina Fretter was taken to the Sheffield Police Department after being picked up for drunk driving. She was later struck by a Taser while wearing handcuffs. Video

Law and Disorder Radio's Taser Series

• The Use of Tasers Among Law Enforcement Agencies in the UK--Oct 30, 2006 (MP3; item begins at 2:05)
• Featuring Paul L. Mills, Attorney and Co-Director with L.A. Police Watch--Jul 31, 2006 (MP3; item begins at 31:08)
• Featuring Mona Cadena, AIUSA's Western Region Field Organizer--Jun 19, 2006 (MP3; item begins at 16:55)
• Featuring Ed Jackson, Former Spokesperson for AI--Jun 12, 2006 (MP3; item begins at 31:47)
• www.amnestyusa.org/us-human-rights/taser-abuse/page.do

Dec. 13, 2 010