Another Taser Death

Given that British police are being armed with these weapons too, it’s only a matter of time before something like this happens in this country too:

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputies yesterday punished an “uncooperative” motorist by Tasing him to death. After 43-year-old Allen Kephart was pulled over for allegedly running a stop sign, he got out of his car and failed to show sufficient deference to at least two deputies. He was subdued with a Taser, passed out, and died.

Granted, British police may be more prudent or restrained than their American counterparts but, sure as eggs is eggs, they’ll kill someone with these things sooner rather than later. Moroever, arming the police encourages greater violence. Even if a violent response to a problem remains the last resort, it’s a resort reached more quickly than if the authorities were not given these kinds of weapon. 

According to Amnesty International Tasers killed (or help kill) more than 300 Americans between 2001 and 2008.