A New Tool for Citizen Vigilantes
January 30, 2007

Ordinary citizens will be able to buy hand-held stun guns pretty soon. Taser International recently unveiled a new model that will cost only $300 and will shock its victim into immobility for 30 seconds.

Read the rest of this article in Early To Rise

posted by M. Masterson @ 8:05 AM,

8 Comments:

At 8:38 AM, Blogger Jeffrey said...

First I have to say with respect to the scenario laid out, "works for me."
I also have to note that many states have concealed carry laws and you simply don't here about the kinds of scenarios noted here (whether tounge in cheek or not). It is reasonable to suggest I suppose that because it's a taser and not a deadly weapon it might be used more often, but I rather doubt it.
People who obtain the taser are doing so for personal protection and they know how to define that for themselves, their families and their friends.
This is a good thing.

 
At 10:17 AM, Anonymous Peter Bell said...

Should be a great tool for muggers as well - immobilize your victim, take wallet, stroll away. The joys of technology!

 
At 10:39 AM, Anonymous Ian Dainty said...

As a Canadian, I am always amazed at how Americans try and find new ways to hurt, maim and kill each other. Almost all Candians feel the same way.

We are not allowed to "bear arms". We leave that up to the police. Can you imagine all of the deaths you would prevent if the USA passed a law that stopped ordinary people from carrying weapons, like most civilized countries do.

This is probaly the biggest difference in our cultures. I would like a civilized American to explain to me why it is important to "bear arms" in this day and age. Leave it up to the law authorities.

 
At 11:03 AM, Blogger Michael Roach said...

Ian, don't assume to speak for "almost all Canadians". You come across as very pompous, arrogant and bigoted towards Americans.

You know as well as anyone else that Americans in general are not trying to "find new ways to hurt, maim and kill each other."

Most people -- including the uncivilized Americans, as you see them -- view gagdets like this one as a self-defense tool, not as a tool to joyfully hurt other people.

 
At 2:38 PM, Blogger Jose said...

Another reason for lawsuits.

I can see the smirk upon the lawyers' faces while they sing in unison - Ka-ching!

 
At 4:34 AM, Blogger Techdojo said...

I totally agree with Peter Bell, sounds like the perfect tool for muggers, bullies and any other form of low life that preys on people weaker than them.

A sad state of affairs.

But then again, muggers et al have always found ways to steal, hurt and deprive other people - this will just make it easier for them to get hold of these things and in my opinion, muggers and thieves by their very nature are lazy individuals who would rather take something that someone else has worked for rather than work for something themselves and earn the self respect that goes with it.

Rather than finding new ways for people to defend themselves / hurt others how about finding new ways to educate the muggers, bullies & thugs into realising what they're doing is wrong and the reasons why.

If everyone had a bit more respect for one another then tools like this wouldn't be necessary, for either side.

Ok, so I'm an idealist, but then again is that such a bad thing...

Jon...

 
At 11:41 AM, Blogger louisrburns said...

To those that are sad that a mugger might have a new toy, consider this:

Would you rather be stunned by a mugger or shot? Personally, I'd prefer the muggers could stun me if they were hell bent on randomly causing me harm.

I have several Canadian friends and they don't all think or feel the same way. Even if they did, the majority of a group of people feeling a certain way doesn't make their opinion more valid.

The thing most anti-gun folks tend to forget is that the criminals will always have weapons. Criminalizing self defense only gets law biding citizens hurt.

The police are good at picking up the pieces after the fact. If you want to prevent the crime before it occurs you need to be prepared.

When I lived in Italy (where guns are outlawed) I had an American friend who was as liberal as they come. She was assaulted at night and only got away because she broke the guy's nose (thanks to karate lessons as a child) and ran. After that, she changed her tune and thinks it's good to have a weapon.

Ultimately they're just tools. If someone wants to hurt you, they can do it with just about anything- hammer, scissors, pencil, electrical cord, their hands, etc.

I'm glad we (including the criminals) have one more non-lethal option.

Louis

 
At 9:11 PM, Blogger George said...

It's easy to do the research and discover that all the places where guns have been confiscated or outlawed, crime has risen dramatically-including Canada.

Our Capital city, Washington, has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation. Violent crime there is rampant.

Australia outlawed gun ownership by private citizens. Violent crime is up.

Why can't people figure this out: when law abiding citizens give up the means to defend themselves (whether it's knives, guns, or tazers) the criminals are the only ones left with guns - and they know it.

Criminals love gun laws. They also love Canadians without guns.

 

Post a Comment

<< Home