Michigan Bill Pending To Make Stun Guns Legal

A measure toiling its way inside the Michigan Legislature would likely help make

the state the nation's 45th to permit residents to possess stun guns as a method of self-defense. Wisconsin had become the 44th on Nov 1.

Stun guns, which actually discharge an electrical current in between two frontal prongs that can temporarily disable an attacker once they make contact is different from Tasers, which fire out a set of electrically energized probes upwards to fifteen feet, more like a handgun. The Taser has more often been in the news stemming out of legal actions producing death, nevertheless advocates insist they're much less severe than firearms.

According to Sen. Rick Jones, a Republican from western Michigan, who is introducing the legislation, he states that "You could use it when you could use a gun, and you must have all the training that goes into a concealed pistol license. I think it's just common sense that someone would rather use electricity rather than a gun when they can."

The Michigan Senate approved the measure 35-3 in October. The House, which holds a 63-47 Republican edge, has referred it to a judiciary committee. Jones said he doesn't foresee organized opposition to it in the House or from Republican Gov. Rick Snyder.

Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island are the other states that make it illegal for residents to possess stun guns, along with Illinois and the cities of Annapolis, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and the District of Columbia which impose tight restrictions.

"Taking down a ban is very difficult and very challenging," said Steve Tuttle, spokesman for Taser International. "That's why it's significant that Wisconsin did it."

Many strongly oppose the legalization. "We feel a great number of questions need to be answered," said Mark Fancher, staff attorney for the Michigan Civil Liberties Union. "We are concerned about these devices, period."

Most states ban them from schools and courts, and some have other restrictions such as limiting their use to homes and businesses, or requiring a permit to carry one in public. All 50 states allow law enforcement to carry them.

Law enforcement and the military buy about two-thirds of the Tasers sold, Tuttle said, and the rest are bought by the public. A typical Taser price for consumer models can run from over $900 for the Taser X26, to around $400 for the Taser C2. By comparison, handheld personal stun guns can vary from batons and flashlights to disguised cell phones and lipstick applicators, and run anywhere from $29 to $99.

One feature standard with Taser devices is that they discharge confetti marked with serial numbers that can be used to trace where the cartridge was purchased and by whom. Taser says this function prevents people from using them carelessly.

by: Ron Sass

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