Another reason to hate the AMA

[Joanne98]

They don't know if tasers are deadly yet. They need another study!

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The American Medical Association released a new report calling for more research on the use of Tasers.

The AMA found that the Tasers, which have become a common tool for law enforcement, have a role to play and that prudent use can save lives during interventions that would otherwise involve the use of deadly force. However, the association also had some concerns about their use, KPHO-TV reported.

Video: Docs: Study Tasers More
A spokesman for Taser International, which is based in Scottsdale, called the report encouraging.

"We've been at the forefront for some of these human studies and to date we can't find a human study that will show a negative impact that would be certainly dangerous to the suspect out there," said Steve Tuttle, vice president of communications for Taser International.

Two years ago, an 18-year-old Gilbert, Ariz., suspect who appeared to be on drugs died a day after police used a Taser on him. His family has a lawsuit pending.

The AMA found that not enough studies explored the use of Tasers on criminal suspects, where there might be medical and psychiatric conditions, or alcohol or drug use.

http://www.kcra.com/health/19798831/detail.html

[BadgerKid]

1. "where there might be medical and psychiatric conditions, or alcohol or drug use"

My guess is that the original studies looked at healthy, addiction-free males in the primes of their lives. Of course such studies would put tasers in a good light.

For the record, I'm generally against use of tasers.

[Warpy]

2. The problem is that the companies educate the cops

and give them a totally piss poor education that tells them to shoot first and ask questions later, completely inappropriate for a potentially lethal weapon.

The cops have been trying to use them like instant Valium instead of trying to talk the person down or even physically restrain him/her first.

The discharge of any weapon should be treated the same, with an IA investigation to make certain it was justified.

Shame on the piss poor education the cops are getting about these things.

[salvorhardin]

3. What's the problem?

The AMA found that the Tasers, which have become a common tool for law enforcement, have a role to play and that prudent use can save lives during interventions that would otherwise involve the use of deadly force. However, the association also had some concerns about their use, KPHO-TV reported.

The AMA's report detailed concerns about the use of Tasers in three general areas: They are used too frequently and at lower levels on the use-of-force continuum than indicated; appropriate training and supervision of Taser use is lacking in some jurisdictions; and they may contribute to the death of suspects, either directly or indirectly.

Basically the AMA is saying three things:
1) The research shows that Tasers are generally safe.
2) However, sometimes Tasers can kill people, directly and indirectly, and more research needs to be done to develop better guidelines.
3) Police are misusing Tasers and need better training, supervision and oversight.

Hardly a reason to hate on the AMA. To the contrary, it sounds like sensible criticism. Your anger really should be directed at the police agencies, their training programs and culture.

Tasers are weapons. Like Warpy said, their use should be treated the same as firing a gun. Anytime you use force against someone, no matter how generally nonlethal that force is, you run the risk of seriously injuring or killing that person. Would you rather the police beat people about the heads with batons or shoot them?

[Joanne98]

4. Anything other than saying the tasers should be banned is responsible.

[salvorhardin]

5. So what you're saying...

So what you're saying is that because the AMA consensus opinion differs from your own it must be rubbish.

[Why Syzygy]

6. Whatever the situation -

put STUDIES ahead of COMMON SENSE at all costs! Have any STUDIES ever even proved there is intelligent life on this planet?
I need to see a STUDY!