WASHINGTON - Amnesty International is asking the Defense Department whether the military used Taser electric stun guns on prisoners in Iraq (news - web sites) or Afghanistan (news - web sites), saying it is uneasy about reports of mistreatment and abuse.
Amnesty has long expressed misgivings about the safety of Tasers and whether they are open to abuse because they can inflict severe pain without leaving marks. The group has urged law enforcement agencies to suspend the use of all electroshock weapons pending the outcome of a vigorous independent inquiry into whether the weapons pose health risks.
Taser International contends its products reduce injuries and save lives by giving police an alternative to lethal force.
Re: Amnesty International Always looking out for the bad guy
Some advice for Amnesty International; while I actually back them in some of their crusades, not in this one.
I am currently deployed in Baghdad, my unit has just received the Taser (with appropriate training). Until recently I was dealing with these people on a daily basis. The only force we had at our disposal was lethal, there is no graduated use of force here. If we had to take someone into custody, it was usually "unplesant" to say the least.
I tend to agree with the respondant who stated "if a six year old can take it (although I don't condone zapping a six year old) they (Iraqi's) should be able to suck it up."
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