It was the buzz heard nationwide, while also creating quite a buzz of its own. Prior to the recent media frenzy surrounding the UCLA library and University of Florida tasing incidents, tasers had been a relatively clandestine weapon: you heard stories about them, but you never really thought of them as standard equipment; they were something of an electric ray gun. Lately, however, it seems like everyone has something to say about these devices, from knowledgeable company executives to college kids who couldn’t even describe a taser. The devices are practical and useful, they are safe when wielded properly, and provide an effective alternative to the more prehistoric methods in use today. Tasers are a perfectly legitimate law enforcement tool, provided they are implemented responsibly.

Contrary to popular belief, “taser” is not a weapon, it the brand name of an electroshock weapons producer- one which has gained such a large portion of its market that its name has become synonymous with its product. This is known as a genericized trademark; other examples include referring to cola as Coke, tissues as Kleenex, or adhesive bandages as Band-Aids. T.A.S.E.R. is in fact an acronym, which stands for Tom A. Swift Electric Rifle. It was invented in the 1970s by Jack Cover as a way of reducing firearm deaths (Taser). Clearly, by introducing a nonlethal alternative to opening fire, police would be able to apprehend many suspects in situations where there would be no option but to shoot and possibly kill. This would decrease not only crime but also the number of deaths resulting from shots fired. However, this weapon is still very powerful, and must be treated with the same respect as a lethal one. For this reason, law enforcement agencies require a minimum of 60 hours of firearms training, with at least 5 hours of Taser-specific training, and annual recertification (USGAO).

This training acknowledges that Taser use is only acceptable when appropriate, and like any tool, can be abused. This problem is addressed via voluntary exposure, because while it is easy to pull the trigger, it is even easier to underestimate the actual effect it is having on its target. The majority of law enforcement agencies employing electroshock weapons require some sort of physical demonstration in order to better illustrate the power of the device. Furthermore, all members of TASER International senior management have been voluntarily exposed to their product (Taser). It has been shown to be much less brutal than blunt force, when used properly. Whereas a knight stick can inflict bruises and break bones, a Taser incapacitates its target and causes momentary pain, but no lasting injury. (Again, this is if the weapon is not abused.)

However, this does not make its use acceptable if no weapon is necessary. Even if Tasers were every bit as harmless as they are claimed to be, they are still weapons and still create a raucous disturbance. In the cases of Andrew Meyer and Mostafa Tabatabainejad, there was widespread protest and upheaval over what many considered police brutality. With such issues, the reality of the incident is often of little importance; it is perception that defines public opinion. Both were cloudy examples, which is exactly why they were so controversial. That most human beings are distressed by the sight of their fellow man being electrocuted is generally accepted as true. This is precisely why law enforcement officers must be extremely selective in their use of these devices, because even if it isn’t bad, it still looks bad. People are often too overcome by their emotions in these situations and rush to judgment before they can get all the facts.

Some say that tasers are too dangerous; the American Civil Liberties Union has documented 148 Taser related deaths in the US and Canada since 1999 (Bruin). It is quite possible that Tasers might carry side effects, but these effects are surely preferable to those of bullets. While a small percentage of people who are Tased develop complications, all people who are shot will suffer bullet holes.

Concerning the recent University of Florida tasing, use of a weapon was poor judgment on the officers’ part, no matter how you slice it. Although Meyer was being disruptive, he was nonviolent and unarmed; force was unnecessary. Whether he deserved it is another story entirely. At any rate, it reflected badly upon the school and campus security, as they were quickly bombarded with allegations of police brutality (Wallace). However, no matter what the occasion, there is no reason that four trained officers of the law should not be capable of subduing a singe unarmed suspect without employing the use of electroshock.

The UCLA case, conversely, was not so clear-cut. Authorities asked Mostafa Tabatabainejad to present ID in order to continue using the campus library (Taylor). When he did not or could not comply, he was asked to leave. He refused, and was subsequently tased (Taylor). Through the eyes of a student, this is an example of security personnel using an inordinate amount of force to subjugate a paying customer of the university, who had every right to use the library. To a police officer, he is an unfamiliar man who refuses to identify himself, carrying a backpack with unknowable contents. In the wake of the Virginia Tech shooting, they were not unreasonable to air on the side of caution. Certainly hindsight is 20/20, and the fact that he meant no harm makes campus security seem fascistic, but what if he did have a gun, and six people died? The safety of the public is of far more consequence than the dignity of one man. Sure, weapons should be a last resort, but some situations demand instant decisions. To tase a handcuffed suspect, though, is overkill.

When used properly, Tasers are a relatively gentle alternative to the brute force methods that have been employed for thousand of years, and when used appropriately and respectfully, can reduce crime dramatically. They offer a third answer to the classic dilemma “Shoot “em or lose “em.” All factors considered, the Taser can be of great benefit to law enforcement around the world.