Contentions:
Contention 1: ‘Non-lethal’ weapons have been known to kill and can still be abused.
While the name may suggest otherwise, weapons that are considered ‘non-lethal’ have been known to kill or be abused in the past. An example of a non-lethal weapon like this is a stun gun. Stun guns are created to release an electric shock meant to disable someone. Many police departments have adopted using stun guns in their departments in an attempt to lower the amount of shootings. However, they must also accept that tasers can still be deadly or abused. According to an article by NBC News, if a stun gun is used for a few seconds too long, the voltage (which could reach 50,000 Volts) could seriously harm or even kill someone with serious medical conditions or heart problems. (In-text citation here.) Even a perfectly healthy person could still be harmed- according to the same article, a teenager in Kansas City went into cardiac arrest after being shot in the chest with a stun gun. The damage was nearly fatal, and the incident …show more content…
For one, stun-guns hit a target 15 to 35 feet away, less than the range of bullets. This makes is harder to hit a target, especially if the target is in motion. Attempting to hit the arm or leg when both persons are in motion is nearly impossible, which is why officers are taught to aim for the chest. Stun-guns are not always reliable, either. According to a former police officer, Peter Moskos, “So many shootings involve an inefficient Taser first.” He explains that if a taser doesn’t work, there is no other clear alternative at that point. (Citation here.) According to a professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, “Tasers are not for deadly force situations.” According to him, police should only shoot in life and death situations. He adds, “It’s not a tool for apprehension.” (In-text citation
Contention 1: ‘Non-lethal’ weapons have been known to kill and can still be abused.
While the name may suggest otherwise, weapons that are considered ‘non-lethal’ have been known to kill or be abused in the past. An example of a non-lethal weapon like this is a stun gun. Stun guns are created to release an electric shock meant to disable someone. Many police departments have adopted using stun guns in their departments in an attempt to lower the amount of shootings. However, they must also accept that tasers can still be deadly or abused. According to an article by NBC News, if a stun gun is used for a few seconds too long, the voltage (which could reach 50,000 Volts) could seriously harm or even kill someone with serious medical conditions or heart problems. (In-text citation here.) Even a perfectly healthy person could still be harmed- according to the same article, a teenager in Kansas City went into cardiac arrest after being shot in the chest with a stun gun. The damage was nearly fatal, and the incident …show more content…
For one, stun-guns hit a target 15 to 35 feet away, less than the range of bullets. This makes is harder to hit a target, especially if the target is in motion. Attempting to hit the arm or leg when both persons are in motion is nearly impossible, which is why officers are taught to aim for the chest. Stun-guns are not always reliable, either. According to a former police officer, Peter Moskos, “So many shootings involve an inefficient Taser first.” He explains that if a taser doesn’t work, there is no other clear alternative at that point. (Citation here.) According to a professor at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, “Tasers are not for deadly force situations.” According to him, police should only shoot in life and death situations. He adds, “It’s not a tool for apprehension.” (In-text citation