ARLINGTON,
Va., : The Potomac Institute for Policy Studies in Arlington, Va.,, says stun
gun technology, when used appropriately, is relatively safe and effective.
ARLINGTON, Va., : The Potomac
Institute for Policy Studies in Arlington, Va.,, says stun gun technology, when
used appropriately, is relatively safe and effective.
However, the institute's report said medical testing should continue and federal
guidelines for manufacturers and end users should be put into place.
The study was partially based on the findings of a February conference at the
institute, bringing together experts in medical, industry, policy, military, and
law enforcement fields to analyze issues related to stun devices.
The study's authors reported the odds for a stun device to contribute to death
are one in one thousand and the ratio of lives saved to lives lost exceeds 70:1.
The study offered the ratio for lives saved to lives lost related to air bags in
automobiles as comparison, approximately 50:1.
The study also said that of the 72 mortality cases documented in the Amnesty
International 2004 report on stun device use, none cited stun employment as the
sole cause of death; it was only mentioned as a possible contributing factor.The
mortalities involved other factors, such as heart disease, excessive drug
ingestion, and multiple force applications.
- -- Copyright 2005 by United Press International.
