Monday, March 28, 2005
StunGun.com’s President Criticizes U.S. Department Of Homeland Security Bureaus’ Decisions Not To Sanction Stun Gun Use
StunGun.com’s President Criticizes U.S. Department Of Homeland Security Bureaus’ Decisions Not To Sanction Stun Gun Use
(BOSTON, Massachusetts - StunGun.com - March 25, 2005) As stun guns have gained acceptance at police departments in the U.S. and elsewhere, the use of these weapons has encountered resistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) two largest law enforcement divisions. The policy decision at DHS not to allow about 20,000 of its agents use stun guns concerns a nationally recognized security expert.
“This is a shame,” said Robert Siciliano, president of StunGun.com. An expert in personal security and identity theft, Siciliano is author of “The Safety Minute: 01.” He has been featured on CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, and CNBC. “A stun gun should be a perfectly reasonable alternative to a traditional firearm, especially for DHS.”
On March 24, The Associated Press reported the approval of Taser's stun gun for use by British law enforcement. Meanwhile, USA Today’s Kevin Johnson last week reported that the bureaus of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), two law enforcement branches of DHS, over the past two years, disallowed the use of stun guns by their agents. Johnson reports bureau spokespeople attributing the bans to questions regarding the safety of stun guns.
“A stun gun will not shoot a hole in an airplane flying at 15,000 feet,” Siciliano said. “A traditional firearm will. Stun guns are the perfect alternative to traditional firearms. Even the British government’s gun-less police departments now believe so. America however loves their guns. We have more guns than people. Thousands upon thousands of people die every year from firearms. The DHS would rather shoot to kill than shoot to stun.”
The Feb. 11 edition of The New York Post mentioned in its business pages the marketing value of the domain name "StunGun.com." KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh interviewed Siciliano on March 8 about the safety of stun guns and StunGun.com's pertinence to the industry. In a March 13 column, Jim Kouri, CPP, vice president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police, drew on Siciliano's commentary about law enforcement's use of stun guns.
Various public interest groups have voiced concerns over stun gun use. Claims by Amnesty International and others have been at the forefront of a national debate over the weapons.
“A bullet has an excellent chance of killing the person whose body it enters,” said Siciliano. “On the national level, a very small risk, if any, of death by stun has sparked an unmerited controversy over stun guns’ relationship to everyday citizens. Now we’re hesitant to use stun guns against people who enter the country illegally and may very well be terrorists. This is by far the single most hypocritical, politically correct action taken in the war on terrorism”
“The irrationality needs to stop,” Siciliano added. “For far too long, we have entertained specious hyperbole from those who imagine that a stun gun is highly lethal. It is not. To this day it is still unclear whether a handful of people have actually died after being shocked by stun guns, less-than-lethal weapons that law enforcement officers and others have used against countless people over many years.”
Arizona-based Taser International is the largest manufacturer of stun guns. Another stun gun manufacturer is North Carolina–based Law Enforcement Associates Corporation. Stinger Systems, a second North Carolina stun gun firm, has commenced production of its own stun gun, according to a March 21 company press release. As reported by the Boston Business Journal, Stinger Systems has nixed plans to relocate to Springfield, Mass., home of the venerable firearms manufacturer Smith and Wesson. According to another Stinger Systems press release this week, former Smith and Wesson executives who had joined Stinger earlier this year are now leaving the company, and Stinger System's co-founder, Robert Gruder, will continue in his role as CEO.
###
Siciliano is available to speak with the media about stun gun technology and what it means for civilians as well as law enforcement. Featured on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, CNBC, "ABC News with Sam Donaldson," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael" and "The Howard Stern Show," Siciliano has earned critical praise nationwide for his workshops and seminars.Certified as an instructor of safety and security by dozens of state governing boards, he teaches people how to avoid and escape assaults. Numerous industry associations have certified his programs to provide their members with security training. He has been quoted in Reuters, RealtyTimes.com, Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping, Mademoiselle, The New York Post, The New York Times, The Washington Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Christian Science Monitor, and elsewhere.Siciliano can be reached at 1-800 STUNGUN (788-6486). The URL www.stungun.com leads to his Web site. His blog is located at www.1800stungun.blogspot.com.Siciliano's contact information follows:Robert L. SicilianoPersonal Security Expertphone: 1(800) STUNGUN (788-6486)fax: (877)2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)Robert@StunGun.comThe media are encouraged to get in touch with Siciliano directly. They may also contact:STETrevisions, strategic communicationsBrent W. Skinner, Presidentcell: (617)875-4859fax: (866)663-6557BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
(BOSTON, Massachusetts - StunGun.com - March 25, 2005) As stun guns have gained acceptance at police departments in the U.S. and elsewhere, the use of these weapons has encountered resistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) two largest law enforcement divisions. The policy decision at DHS not to allow about 20,000 of its agents use stun guns concerns a nationally recognized security expert.
“This is a shame,” said Robert Siciliano, president of StunGun.com. An expert in personal security and identity theft, Siciliano is author of “The Safety Minute: 01.” He has been featured on CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, and CNBC. “A stun gun should be a perfectly reasonable alternative to a traditional firearm, especially for DHS.”
On March 24, The Associated Press reported the approval of Taser's stun gun for use by British law enforcement. Meanwhile, USA Today’s Kevin Johnson last week reported that the bureaus of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), two law enforcement branches of DHS, over the past two years, disallowed the use of stun guns by their agents. Johnson reports bureau spokespeople attributing the bans to questions regarding the safety of stun guns.
“A stun gun will not shoot a hole in an airplane flying at 15,000 feet,” Siciliano said. “A traditional firearm will. Stun guns are the perfect alternative to traditional firearms. Even the British government’s gun-less police departments now believe so. America however loves their guns. We have more guns than people. Thousands upon thousands of people die every year from firearms. The DHS would rather shoot to kill than shoot to stun.”
The Feb. 11 edition of The New York Post mentioned in its business pages the marketing value of the domain name "StunGun.com." KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh interviewed Siciliano on March 8 about the safety of stun guns and StunGun.com's pertinence to the industry. In a March 13 column, Jim Kouri, CPP, vice president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police, drew on Siciliano's commentary about law enforcement's use of stun guns.
Various public interest groups have voiced concerns over stun gun use. Claims by Amnesty International and others have been at the forefront of a national debate over the weapons.
“A bullet has an excellent chance of killing the person whose body it enters,” said Siciliano. “On the national level, a very small risk, if any, of death by stun has sparked an unmerited controversy over stun guns’ relationship to everyday citizens. Now we’re hesitant to use stun guns against people who enter the country illegally and may very well be terrorists. This is by far the single most hypocritical, politically correct action taken in the war on terrorism”
“The irrationality needs to stop,” Siciliano added. “For far too long, we have entertained specious hyperbole from those who imagine that a stun gun is highly lethal. It is not. To this day it is still unclear whether a handful of people have actually died after being shocked by stun guns, less-than-lethal weapons that law enforcement officers and others have used against countless people over many years.”
Arizona-based Taser International is the largest manufacturer of stun guns. Another stun gun manufacturer is North Carolina–based Law Enforcement Associates Corporation. Stinger Systems, a second North Carolina stun gun firm, has commenced production of its own stun gun, according to a March 21 company press release. As reported by the Boston Business Journal, Stinger Systems has nixed plans to relocate to Springfield, Mass., home of the venerable firearms manufacturer Smith and Wesson. According to another Stinger Systems press release this week, former Smith and Wesson executives who had joined Stinger earlier this year are now leaving the company, and Stinger System's co-founder, Robert Gruder, will continue in his role as CEO.
###
Siciliano is available to speak with the media about stun gun technology and what it means for civilians as well as law enforcement. Featured on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, CNBC, "ABC News with Sam Donaldson," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael" and "The Howard Stern Show," Siciliano has earned critical praise nationwide for his workshops and seminars.Certified as an instructor of safety and security by dozens of state governing boards, he teaches people how to avoid and escape assaults. Numerous industry associations have certified his programs to provide their members with security training. He has been quoted in Reuters, RealtyTimes.com, Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping, Mademoiselle, The New York Post, The New York Times, The Washington Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Christian Science Monitor, and elsewhere.Siciliano can be reached at 1-800 STUNGUN (788-6486). The URL www.stungun.com leads to his Web site. His blog is located at www.1800stungun.blogspot.com.Siciliano's contact information follows:Robert L. SicilianoPersonal Security Expertphone: 1(800) STUNGUN (788-6486)fax: (877)2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)Robert@StunGun.comThe media are encouraged to get in touch with Siciliano directly. They may also contact:STETrevisions, strategic communicationsBrent W. Skinner, Presidentcell: (617)875-4859fax: (866)663-6557BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
StunGun.com’s President Sees Mounting Evidence That Many Deaths Blamed On Stun Guns Actually Trace To Drug Use
StunGun.com’s President Sees Mounting Evidence That Many Deaths Blamed On Stun Guns Actually Trace To Drug Use
(BOSTON, Massachusetts - StunGun.com - March 23, 2005) Autopsies as well as unofficial reports of victims’ behavior suggest that many people who have died following stun gun shocks lost their lives because cocaine or other drugs were in their bodies at the time of the stuns. Findings such as these, according to a nationally recognized security expert, build the case for the overall safety of stun gun technology and help to refute the accusations of various public watchdog groups.
"Stun technology has been around for a long time," said Robert Siciliano, president of StunGun.com. An expert in personal security and identity theft, Siciliano is author of "The Safety Minute: 01." He has been featured on CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, and CNBC. "Only in recent years has the stun technology industry introduced stun guns that actually shoot stuns in a way that loosely mimics firearms shooting bullets. This can scare people.”
The Feb. 11 edition of The New York Post mentioned in its business pages the marketing value of the domain name "StunGun.com." KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh interviewed Siciliano on March 8 about the safety of stun guns and StunGun.com's pertinence to the industry. In a March 13 column, Jim Kouri, CPP, vice president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police, drew on Siciliano's commentary about law enforcement's use of stun guns.
According to recent news reports, autopsies and other reports suggest that drug use has caused many of the deaths originally thought to stem from the effect of a stun gun shock:
--On March 8, The Associated Press reported on a 30-year-old burglary suspect in Deland, Fla., who died on the way to the hospital after withstanding three stun gun shots following a struggle with police, who said the man told them he had been using cocaine earlier in the day.
--The Associated Press reported on March 15 a medical examiner’s conclusion that a 32-year-old Auburndale, Fla. man shot with a stun gun by police later died from “excited delirium,” a condition that sudden withdrawal from the prescription drug Xanax causes. The story notes many deaths following stun gun shots actually trace to drug use on the part of the vicitms.
--On March 16, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported an autopsy conclusion that a 35-year-old man shot with a stun gun in Columbia, Ill., on Dec. 16, 2004, “actually died of a cocaine overdose.”
“We are beginning to see that many of the deaths supposedly attributable to ‘less-than-lethal’ technology have actually been the result of cocaine and other illegal drug use,” said Siciliano.
“As police departments increase their employment of stun guns,” Siciliano added, “the use of the weapons conjures images of capital punishment and crude electric chairs. Hype over deaths has only perpetuated this fear even though stun guns are meant to drastically reduce needless deaths courtesy of law enforcement.”
“Stun guns have drawn impetuous, negative reactions from public watchdog groups,” Siciliano continued. “They see the weapons as dangerous. No weapon is completely safe, but stun gun technology is ‘less-than-lethal,’ which means the recipient of the stun has an extremely high chance of surviving unscathed. The notion of guns shooting stuns seems barbaric to some people, but the end result is something far more humane than what a bullet can cause."
Arizona-based Taser International is the largest manufacturer of stun guns. Another stun gun manufacturer is North Carolina–based Law Enforcement Associates Corporation
Stinger Systems, a second North Carolina stun gun firm, has commenced production of its own stun gun, according to a March 21 company press release. As reported by the Boston Business Journal, Stinger Systems has nixed plans to relocate to Springfield, Mass., home of the venerable firearms manufacturer Smith and Wesson. According to another Stinger Systems press release this week, former Smith and Wesson executives who had joined Stinger earlier this year are now leaving the company, and Stinger System's co-founder, Robert Gruder, will continue in his role CEO.
###
Siciliano is available to speak with the media about stun gun technology and what it means for civilians as well as law enforcement. Featured on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, CNBC, "ABC News with Sam Donaldson," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael" and "The Howard Stern Show," Siciliano has earned critical praise nationwide for his workshops and seminars.Certified as an instructor of safety and security by dozens of state governing boards, he teaches people how to avoid and escape assaults. Numerous industry associations have certified his programs to provide their members with security training. He has been quoted in Reuters, RealtyTimes.com, Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping, Mademoiselle, The New York Post, The New York Times, The Washington Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Christian Science Monitor, and elsewhere.Siciliano can be reached at 1-800 STUNGUN (788-6486). The URL www.stungun.com leads to his Web site. His blog is located at www.1800stungun.blogspot.com.Siciliano's contact information follows:Robert L. SicilianoPersonal Security Expertphone: 1(800) STUNGUN (788-6486)fax: (877)2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)Robert@StunGun.comThe media are encouraged to get in touch with Siciliano directly. They may also contact:STETrevisions, strategic communicationsBrent W. Skinner, Presidentcell: (617)875-4859fax: (866)663-6557BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
(BOSTON, Massachusetts - StunGun.com - March 23, 2005) Autopsies as well as unofficial reports of victims’ behavior suggest that many people who have died following stun gun shocks lost their lives because cocaine or other drugs were in their bodies at the time of the stuns. Findings such as these, according to a nationally recognized security expert, build the case for the overall safety of stun gun technology and help to refute the accusations of various public watchdog groups.
"Stun technology has been around for a long time," said Robert Siciliano, president of StunGun.com. An expert in personal security and identity theft, Siciliano is author of "The Safety Minute: 01." He has been featured on CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, and CNBC. "Only in recent years has the stun technology industry introduced stun guns that actually shoot stuns in a way that loosely mimics firearms shooting bullets. This can scare people.”
The Feb. 11 edition of The New York Post mentioned in its business pages the marketing value of the domain name "StunGun.com." KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh interviewed Siciliano on March 8 about the safety of stun guns and StunGun.com's pertinence to the industry. In a March 13 column, Jim Kouri, CPP, vice president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police, drew on Siciliano's commentary about law enforcement's use of stun guns.
According to recent news reports, autopsies and other reports suggest that drug use has caused many of the deaths originally thought to stem from the effect of a stun gun shock:
--On March 8, The Associated Press reported on a 30-year-old burglary suspect in Deland, Fla., who died on the way to the hospital after withstanding three stun gun shots following a struggle with police, who said the man told them he had been using cocaine earlier in the day.
--The Associated Press reported on March 15 a medical examiner’s conclusion that a 32-year-old Auburndale, Fla. man shot with a stun gun by police later died from “excited delirium,” a condition that sudden withdrawal from the prescription drug Xanax causes. The story notes many deaths following stun gun shots actually trace to drug use on the part of the vicitms.
--On March 16, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported an autopsy conclusion that a 35-year-old man shot with a stun gun in Columbia, Ill., on Dec. 16, 2004, “actually died of a cocaine overdose.”
“We are beginning to see that many of the deaths supposedly attributable to ‘less-than-lethal’ technology have actually been the result of cocaine and other illegal drug use,” said Siciliano.
“As police departments increase their employment of stun guns,” Siciliano added, “the use of the weapons conjures images of capital punishment and crude electric chairs. Hype over deaths has only perpetuated this fear even though stun guns are meant to drastically reduce needless deaths courtesy of law enforcement.”
“Stun guns have drawn impetuous, negative reactions from public watchdog groups,” Siciliano continued. “They see the weapons as dangerous. No weapon is completely safe, but stun gun technology is ‘less-than-lethal,’ which means the recipient of the stun has an extremely high chance of surviving unscathed. The notion of guns shooting stuns seems barbaric to some people, but the end result is something far more humane than what a bullet can cause."
Arizona-based Taser International is the largest manufacturer of stun guns. Another stun gun manufacturer is North Carolina–based Law Enforcement Associates Corporation
Stinger Systems, a second North Carolina stun gun firm, has commenced production of its own stun gun, according to a March 21 company press release. As reported by the Boston Business Journal, Stinger Systems has nixed plans to relocate to Springfield, Mass., home of the venerable firearms manufacturer Smith and Wesson. According to another Stinger Systems press release this week, former Smith and Wesson executives who had joined Stinger earlier this year are now leaving the company, and Stinger System's co-founder, Robert Gruder, will continue in his role CEO.
###
Siciliano is available to speak with the media about stun gun technology and what it means for civilians as well as law enforcement. Featured on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, CNBC, "ABC News with Sam Donaldson," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael" and "The Howard Stern Show," Siciliano has earned critical praise nationwide for his workshops and seminars.Certified as an instructor of safety and security by dozens of state governing boards, he teaches people how to avoid and escape assaults. Numerous industry associations have certified his programs to provide their members with security training. He has been quoted in Reuters, RealtyTimes.com, Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping, Mademoiselle, The New York Post, The New York Times, The Washington Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Christian Science Monitor, and elsewhere.Siciliano can be reached at 1-800 STUNGUN (788-6486). The URL www.stungun.com leads to his Web site. His blog is located at www.1800stungun.blogspot.com.Siciliano's contact information follows:Robert L. SicilianoPersonal Security Expertphone: 1(800) STUNGUN (788-6486)fax: (877)2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)Robert@StunGun.comThe media are encouraged to get in touch with Siciliano directly. They may also contact:STETrevisions, strategic communicationsBrent W. Skinner, Presidentcell: (617)875-4859fax: (866)663-6557BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Robert Siciliano, security expert and president of StunGun.com, urges the U.S. legal system to avoid future violence by implementing effective securit
Robert Siciliano, security expert and president of StunGun.com, urges the U.S. legal system to avoid future violence by implementing effective security measures
(BOSTON, Massachusetts – March 17, 2005 – StunGun.com) Recent violence and threats of it in courtrooms and against a federal judge and her family members have prompted a national discussion about security in the courthouse. Debate has focused on the safety of courtrooms and shielding judges and their families from violence without jeopardizing or compromising the public trial by jury, a cornerstone tenet of the U.S. Constitution.
“We are witness to what may be a growing trend of violence against the judiciary system,” said Robert Siciliano, a personal security expert and president of StunGun.com. “And yet, the drift toward pandemonium and chaos in the courtroom is avoidable.”
On March 14, The Christian Science Monitor’s Patrik Jonsson quoted Siciliano in a report on courtroom violence. An expert in personal security and identity theft, Siciliano, author of “The Safety Minute: 01,” has been featured on CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, and CNBC.
The Associated Press has reported another incident of courtroom violence. At a New Orleans, Louisiana courthouse on March 17, a suspect allegedly beat a deputy and prosecutor. This latest example follows last month’s killings of the husband and mother of a Chicago judge, Joan Humphrey Lefkow, who had received death threats herself. A week ago in an Atlanta, Georgia courtroom, a former college football linebacker, Brian Nichols, allegedly shot and killed Judge Rowland Barnes along with a court reporter and sheriff’s deputy.
“Authorities can implement simple yet powerful practices and draw commonsense guidelines to avert future violence in the courthouse,” said Siciliano.
Siciliano believes officials should train courtroom personnel to use reasonable methods in diffusing escalating situations before circumstances overheat. Everyone should participate in ongoing safety and security strategy development. Staff should be part of the solution and have the tools they need to identify hazards and gain control during crises.
Some have voiced concerns that hyper vigilance in the courtroom could go too far, threatening the U.S. legal system’s transparency, a trait critical to the republic, and separating judges from society.
“Judges are important public servants,” said Siciliano. “We must protect them with everything we have. Their relationship to society may indeed change, and I understand concerns about preserving the accessibility of the legal system to protect our Constitutional freedoms. But we also need to do whatever it takes to preserve the authority of the bench itself.”
Alternative law enforcement weapons technology such as stun guns may hold one of the keys to courtroom safety. “Stun guns are the perfect foil to violence in the courtroom, a place filled with innocent bystanders and legal officials,” said Siciliano.
The Feb. 11 edition of The New York Post’s business pages reported on Siciliano’s company, StunGun.com. On March 8, KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh, Penn., interviewed Mr. Siciliano about the safety of stun guns. In a March 13 column, Jim Kouri, CPP, vice president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police, drew on Siciliano’s commentary about law enforcement’s use of stun guns.
“Many of the people who work in our courts day in and day out are untrained in self-defense or how to react to dangerous situations,” said Siciliano. “A courthouse can be a crowded place. Police are typically hesitant to use their firearms in crowded environments. A stun gun in the hands of a properly trained law enforcement officer may have thwarted Nichols last week.”
***
Siciliano is available to speak with the media about the recent spate of violence in courtrooms and against judges. Featured on CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, CNBC, "ABC News with Sam Donaldson," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael" and "The Howard Stern Show," Siciliano has earned critical praise nationwide for his workshops and seminars.
Certified as an instructor of safety and security by dozens of state governing boards, he teaches people how to avoid and escape assaults. Numerous industry associations have certified his programs to provide their members with security training. He has been quoted in Reuters, RealtyTimes.com, Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping, Mademoiselle, The New York Post, The New York Times, The Washington Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Christian Science Monitor, and elsewhere.
Siciliano can be reached at 1-800 STUNGUN (788-6486). The URL www.stungun.com leads to his Web site. Visit his blog at www.1800stungun.blogspot.com.
Siciliano's contact information follows:
Robert L. Siciliano
Personal Security Expert
phone: 1-800 STUNGUN (788-6486)
fax: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@StunGun.com
The media are encouraged to get in touch with Siciliano directly. They may also contact:
STETrevisions, strategic communications
Brent W. Skinner, President
cell: 617-875-4859
fax: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
(BOSTON, Massachusetts – March 17, 2005 – StunGun.com) Recent violence and threats of it in courtrooms and against a federal judge and her family members have prompted a national discussion about security in the courthouse. Debate has focused on the safety of courtrooms and shielding judges and their families from violence without jeopardizing or compromising the public trial by jury, a cornerstone tenet of the U.S. Constitution.
“We are witness to what may be a growing trend of violence against the judiciary system,” said Robert Siciliano, a personal security expert and president of StunGun.com. “And yet, the drift toward pandemonium and chaos in the courtroom is avoidable.”
On March 14, The Christian Science Monitor’s Patrik Jonsson quoted Siciliano in a report on courtroom violence. An expert in personal security and identity theft, Siciliano, author of “The Safety Minute: 01,” has been featured on CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, and CNBC.
The Associated Press has reported another incident of courtroom violence. At a New Orleans, Louisiana courthouse on March 17, a suspect allegedly beat a deputy and prosecutor. This latest example follows last month’s killings of the husband and mother of a Chicago judge, Joan Humphrey Lefkow, who had received death threats herself. A week ago in an Atlanta, Georgia courtroom, a former college football linebacker, Brian Nichols, allegedly shot and killed Judge Rowland Barnes along with a court reporter and sheriff’s deputy.
“Authorities can implement simple yet powerful practices and draw commonsense guidelines to avert future violence in the courthouse,” said Siciliano.
Siciliano believes officials should train courtroom personnel to use reasonable methods in diffusing escalating situations before circumstances overheat. Everyone should participate in ongoing safety and security strategy development. Staff should be part of the solution and have the tools they need to identify hazards and gain control during crises.
Some have voiced concerns that hyper vigilance in the courtroom could go too far, threatening the U.S. legal system’s transparency, a trait critical to the republic, and separating judges from society.
“Judges are important public servants,” said Siciliano. “We must protect them with everything we have. Their relationship to society may indeed change, and I understand concerns about preserving the accessibility of the legal system to protect our Constitutional freedoms. But we also need to do whatever it takes to preserve the authority of the bench itself.”
Alternative law enforcement weapons technology such as stun guns may hold one of the keys to courtroom safety. “Stun guns are the perfect foil to violence in the courtroom, a place filled with innocent bystanders and legal officials,” said Siciliano.
The Feb. 11 edition of The New York Post’s business pages reported on Siciliano’s company, StunGun.com. On March 8, KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh, Penn., interviewed Mr. Siciliano about the safety of stun guns. In a March 13 column, Jim Kouri, CPP, vice president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police, drew on Siciliano’s commentary about law enforcement’s use of stun guns.
“Many of the people who work in our courts day in and day out are untrained in self-defense or how to react to dangerous situations,” said Siciliano. “A courthouse can be a crowded place. Police are typically hesitant to use their firearms in crowded environments. A stun gun in the hands of a properly trained law enforcement officer may have thwarted Nichols last week.”
***
Siciliano is available to speak with the media about the recent spate of violence in courtrooms and against judges. Featured on CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, CNBC, "ABC News with Sam Donaldson," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael" and "The Howard Stern Show," Siciliano has earned critical praise nationwide for his workshops and seminars.
Certified as an instructor of safety and security by dozens of state governing boards, he teaches people how to avoid and escape assaults. Numerous industry associations have certified his programs to provide their members with security training. He has been quoted in Reuters, RealtyTimes.com, Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping, Mademoiselle, The New York Post, The New York Times, The Washington Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Christian Science Monitor, and elsewhere.
Siciliano can be reached at 1-800 STUNGUN (788-6486). The URL www.stungun.com leads to his Web site. Visit his blog at www.1800stungun.blogspot.com.
Siciliano's contact information follows:
Robert L. Siciliano
Personal Security Expert
phone: 1-800 STUNGUN (788-6486)
fax: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@StunGun.com
The media are encouraged to get in touch with Siciliano directly. They may also contact:
STETrevisions, strategic communications
Brent W. Skinner, President
cell: 617-875-4859
fax: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Robert Siciliano, security expert and president of StunGun.com, encourages stun gun manufacturers marketing the weapons to civilians
Robert Siciliano, security expert and president of StunGun.com, encourages stun gun manufacturers marketing the weapons to civilians
(BOSTON, Massachusetts – March 16, 2005 – STUNGUN.COM) The marketing of stun guns to civilians is increasing. While human rights organizations and law enforcement officials are in disagreement over police departments’ use of stun guns, many on both sides have voiced concerns about stun gun ownership for the general public.
On March 5, St. Petersburg Times writer Shannon Colavecchio-Van Sickler reported unofficial evidence that Taser International’s civilian stun gun model is selling well. Three “Citizen TASER Devices,” as the company calls them, are available. The newest and most expensive is the Taser X26C, which, according to newspaper reports, balances a less powerful stun with a longer range.
“The civilian market for stun guns is promising,” said Robert Siciliano, president of StunGun.com. “These devices are finally gaining acceptance. Stun guns have long been confused with ‘electrocution,’ which is somewhat barbaric. Consumers, like law enforcement, now see that living among predators—and lawyers—requires a ‘less-than-litigious’ means of self defense.”
An expert in personal security and identity theft, Siciliano is author of “The Safety Minute: 01.” He has been featured on CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, and CNBC.
“Those who harbor misgivings about purchasing firearms,” Siciliano said, “may be less hesitant to buy stun guns for protection. Others, given to risky behavior, may choose stun guns over firearms, which could lead to fewer deaths. It’s easier on the conscience to stun than to kill.”
The Feb. 11 edition of The New York Post mentioned in its business pages the marketing value of the domain name “StunGun.com.” On March 8, KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh, Penn., interviewed Mr. Siciliano about the safety of stun guns and StunGun.com’s pertinence to the industry. In a March 13 column, Jim Kouri, CPP, vice president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police, drew on Siciliano’s commentary about law enforcement’s use of stun guns.
The St Petersburg Times article also reported concern among law enforcement officials over the sale of stun guns to civilians. “It’s going to happen no matter what,” said Siciliano. “Civilians will buy more and more stun guns. Just as assault rifles were once intended to be instruments only of the military, their sales have carried over to the general public, albeit with much controversy.”
Last month ABC News interviewed an Amnesty International spokesperson who voiced the human rights organization’s concerns over stun gun sales to civilians. As reported, Taser’s president, Tom Smith has disputed Amnesty’s claims regarding stun gun deaths allegedly attributable to law enforcement’s use of the weapons.
“I implore those on both sides of the issue to look at stun gun technology as a viable alternative to firearms for the masses,” Siciliano said, “Despite the controversy, stun guns as protection for everyday civilians will become the norm. Even for liberal organizations such as Amnesty International, this should be preferable to rampant firearm ownership.”
At least two other stun gun manufacturers have received noticeable press coverage. One is North Carolina–based Law Enforcement Associates Corporation, whose president, Paul Feldman, has videotaped himself being shot by his company’s stun gun. The other, Stinger Systems, recently moved from North Carolina to Springfield, Massachusetts, home of Smith & Wesson, the venerable firearms manufacturer. According to a Feb. 3 Stinger Systems press release, Roy Cuny, a former Smith & Wesson executive who joined Stinger recently as president, was in line to succeed Stinger System’s co-founder, Robert Gruder, to become CEO of the company on March 15.
***
Siciliano is available to speak with the media about stun gun technology and what it means for civilians as well as law enforcement. Featured on CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, CNBC, "ABC News with Sam Donaldson," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael" and "The Howard Stern Show," Siciliano has earned critical praise nationwide for his workshops and seminars.
Certified as an instructor of safety and security by dozens of state governing boards, he teaches people how to avoid and escape assaults. Numerous industry associations have certified his programs to provide their members with security training. He has been quoted in Reuters, RealtyTimes.com, Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping, Mademoiselle, The New York Post, The New York Times, The Washington Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Christian Science Monitor, and elsewhere.
Siciliano can be reached at 1-800 STUNGUN (788-6486). The URL www.stungun.com leads to his Web site. Visit his blog at www.1800stungun.blogspot.com.
Siciliano's contact information follows:
Robert L. Siciliano
Personal Security Expert
phone: 1-800 STUNGUN (788-6486)
fax: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@StunGun.com
The media are encouraged to get in touch with Siciliano directly. They may also contact:
STETrevisions, strategic communications
Brent W. Skinner, President
cell: 617-875-4859
fax: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
(BOSTON, Massachusetts – March 16, 2005 – STUNGUN.COM) The marketing of stun guns to civilians is increasing. While human rights organizations and law enforcement officials are in disagreement over police departments’ use of stun guns, many on both sides have voiced concerns about stun gun ownership for the general public.
On March 5, St. Petersburg Times writer Shannon Colavecchio-Van Sickler reported unofficial evidence that Taser International’s civilian stun gun model is selling well. Three “Citizen TASER Devices,” as the company calls them, are available. The newest and most expensive is the Taser X26C, which, according to newspaper reports, balances a less powerful stun with a longer range.
“The civilian market for stun guns is promising,” said Robert Siciliano, president of StunGun.com. “These devices are finally gaining acceptance. Stun guns have long been confused with ‘electrocution,’ which is somewhat barbaric. Consumers, like law enforcement, now see that living among predators—and lawyers—requires a ‘less-than-litigious’ means of self defense.”
An expert in personal security and identity theft, Siciliano is author of “The Safety Minute: 01.” He has been featured on CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, and CNBC.
“Those who harbor misgivings about purchasing firearms,” Siciliano said, “may be less hesitant to buy stun guns for protection. Others, given to risky behavior, may choose stun guns over firearms, which could lead to fewer deaths. It’s easier on the conscience to stun than to kill.”
The Feb. 11 edition of The New York Post mentioned in its business pages the marketing value of the domain name “StunGun.com.” On March 8, KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh, Penn., interviewed Mr. Siciliano about the safety of stun guns and StunGun.com’s pertinence to the industry. In a March 13 column, Jim Kouri, CPP, vice president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police, drew on Siciliano’s commentary about law enforcement’s use of stun guns.
The St Petersburg Times article also reported concern among law enforcement officials over the sale of stun guns to civilians. “It’s going to happen no matter what,” said Siciliano. “Civilians will buy more and more stun guns. Just as assault rifles were once intended to be instruments only of the military, their sales have carried over to the general public, albeit with much controversy.”
Last month ABC News interviewed an Amnesty International spokesperson who voiced the human rights organization’s concerns over stun gun sales to civilians. As reported, Taser’s president, Tom Smith has disputed Amnesty’s claims regarding stun gun deaths allegedly attributable to law enforcement’s use of the weapons.
“I implore those on both sides of the issue to look at stun gun technology as a viable alternative to firearms for the masses,” Siciliano said, “Despite the controversy, stun guns as protection for everyday civilians will become the norm. Even for liberal organizations such as Amnesty International, this should be preferable to rampant firearm ownership.”
At least two other stun gun manufacturers have received noticeable press coverage. One is North Carolina–based Law Enforcement Associates Corporation, whose president, Paul Feldman, has videotaped himself being shot by his company’s stun gun. The other, Stinger Systems, recently moved from North Carolina to Springfield, Massachusetts, home of Smith & Wesson, the venerable firearms manufacturer. According to a Feb. 3 Stinger Systems press release, Roy Cuny, a former Smith & Wesson executive who joined Stinger recently as president, was in line to succeed Stinger System’s co-founder, Robert Gruder, to become CEO of the company on March 15.
***
Siciliano is available to speak with the media about stun gun technology and what it means for civilians as well as law enforcement. Featured on CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, CNBC, "ABC News with Sam Donaldson," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael" and "The Howard Stern Show," Siciliano has earned critical praise nationwide for his workshops and seminars.
Certified as an instructor of safety and security by dozens of state governing boards, he teaches people how to avoid and escape assaults. Numerous industry associations have certified his programs to provide their members with security training. He has been quoted in Reuters, RealtyTimes.com, Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping, Mademoiselle, The New York Post, The New York Times, The Washington Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Christian Science Monitor, and elsewhere.
Siciliano can be reached at 1-800 STUNGUN (788-6486). The URL www.stungun.com leads to his Web site. Visit his blog at www.1800stungun.blogspot.com.
Siciliano's contact information follows:
Robert L. Siciliano
Personal Security Expert
phone: 1-800 STUNGUN (788-6486)
fax: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@StunGun.com
The media are encouraged to get in touch with Siciliano directly. They may also contact:
STETrevisions, strategic communications
Brent W. Skinner, President
cell: 617-875-4859
fax: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Robert Siciliano, president of StunGun.com, welcomes studies on pigs to help dispel fears that stun guns are highly lethal weapons
(BOSTON, Massachusetts – March 8, 2005 – STUNGUN.COM) Organizations such as Amnesty International have alleged that more than 94 deaths in the United States and Canada can be blamed on stun guns. The American Civil Liberties Union has called for law enforcement to curtail the weapons’ use. These claims, high-profile deaths, and additional controversy have prompted a University of Wisconsin–Madison researcher to conduct studies on pigs to help to dispel fears that stun guns are highly dangerous.
“Organizations such as Amnesty International are happy to get their names in the newspaper and are using stun guns to do it,” says Robert Siciliano, president of StunGun.com. “The justification driving these groups to demonize stun guns is questionable at best. I applaud this upcoming study on pigs. It should put the accusations and allegations to rest.”
An expert in personal security and identity theft, Siciliano is author of “The Safety Minute: 01.” He has been featured on CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, and CNBC. The Feb. 11 edition of The New York Post mentioned StunGun.com in its business pages. On March 8, KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh, Penn., interviewed Mr. Siciliano about the safety of stun guns and StunGun.com’s pertinence to the industry.
As the Associated Press reported in late February, Wisconsin–Madison researchers are testing a hypothesis that drugs such as the cocaine found in many victims have caused these people’s deaths from stuns. The U.S. Department of Justice is funding the study with a two-year grant of $500,000.
In a letter dated that week, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) urged Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor John D. Wiley to cancel the experiments. PETA claimed that findings would do little to further the understanding of stun guns’ effects on humans.
“I would ask PETA and groups like it how they hope to quell fears about stun guns,” Siciliano said. “It is frustrating for stun gun manufacturers. First, Amnesty International condemns stun gun use. Then, when scientists renew efforts to determine stun guns’ safety, PETA strolls in issuing more condemnations. This is an undeserved Catch-22 for the stun gun industry.”
Last week, the San Francisco Chronicle’s Alan Gathright reported claims made by the lawyer of a 21-year-old Vellejo, Calif. man who withstood multiple stun gun shocks. The attorney alleges that stun guns’ largest manufacturer, Taser International Inc., is “knowingly marketing a dangerously defective weapon as safe and ‘non-lethal.’”
“Nothing is perfect,” says Siciliano. “I’ve mentioned this before. The term ‘less than lethal’ is critical. It means someone has a better chance of living than dying. It happens to be a much, much better chance.”
Last month, two high-profile incidents in Chicago, Ill., led some to take their criticism of stun guns a step further. In one case, a 14-year-old boy went into cardiac arrest after withstanding a stun gun shot. In the other incident, a 54-year-old schizophrenic man died after police shot him with a stun gun. Groups are now calling for a moratorium on law enforcement’s use of stun guns. Yet The Arizona Republic’s Robert Anglen and others have reported that Rick Smith, CEO of Taser, and additional executives there have continually insisted that the company’s weapons are safe, pointing to numerous studies across academia and law enforcement to back up the claim.
“It is time to put these two incidents and all future stun gun deaths to bed,” said Siciliano. “Both cases involved assailants who were resisting arrest and needed to be restrained. Again, ‘less than lethal’ means you have a better chance of living than dying. It is not a guarantee, and groups criticizing stun gun use have an obligation not to lead the public into thinking otherwise.”
Two other stun gun manufacturers have promised to challenge the Arizona-based Taser’s corner on the stun gun market: North Carolina–based Law Enforcement Associates Corporation and Stinger Systems, which recently relocated to Springfield, Massachusetts, home to centuries-old firearm manufacturer Smith & Wesson.
***
Siciliano is available to speak with the media about the importance of promoting law enforcement’s use of stun guns. Featured on CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, CNBC, "ABC News with Sam Donaldson," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael" and "The Howard Stern Show," Siciliano has conducted workshops and seminars nationwide that have earned critical praise.
Certified as an instructor of safety and security by dozens of state governing boards, he teaches people nationwide how to avoid and escape assaults. Numerous industry associations have certified his programs to provide their members with security training. He has been quoted in Reuters, RealtyTimes.com, Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping, Mademoiselle, The New York Post, The New York Times, The Washington Times, and elsewhere.
Siciliano can be reached at 1-800 STUNGUN (788-6486). The URL www.stungun.com leads to his Web site. Siciliano's contact information follows:
Robert L. Siciliano
Personal Security Expert
phone: 1-800 STUNGUN (788-6486)
fax: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@StunGun.com
The media are encouraged to get in touch with Siciliano directly. They may also contact:
STETrevisions, strategic communications
Brent W. Skinner, President
cell: 617-875-4859
fax: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
“Organizations such as Amnesty International are happy to get their names in the newspaper and are using stun guns to do it,” says Robert Siciliano, president of StunGun.com. “The justification driving these groups to demonize stun guns is questionable at best. I applaud this upcoming study on pigs. It should put the accusations and allegations to rest.”
An expert in personal security and identity theft, Siciliano is author of “The Safety Minute: 01.” He has been featured on CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, and CNBC. The Feb. 11 edition of The New York Post mentioned StunGun.com in its business pages. On March 8, KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh, Penn., interviewed Mr. Siciliano about the safety of stun guns and StunGun.com’s pertinence to the industry.
As the Associated Press reported in late February, Wisconsin–Madison researchers are testing a hypothesis that drugs such as the cocaine found in many victims have caused these people’s deaths from stuns. The U.S. Department of Justice is funding the study with a two-year grant of $500,000.
In a letter dated that week, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) urged Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor John D. Wiley to cancel the experiments. PETA claimed that findings would do little to further the understanding of stun guns’ effects on humans.
“I would ask PETA and groups like it how they hope to quell fears about stun guns,” Siciliano said. “It is frustrating for stun gun manufacturers. First, Amnesty International condemns stun gun use. Then, when scientists renew efforts to determine stun guns’ safety, PETA strolls in issuing more condemnations. This is an undeserved Catch-22 for the stun gun industry.”
Last week, the San Francisco Chronicle’s Alan Gathright reported claims made by the lawyer of a 21-year-old Vellejo, Calif. man who withstood multiple stun gun shocks. The attorney alleges that stun guns’ largest manufacturer, Taser International Inc., is “knowingly marketing a dangerously defective weapon as safe and ‘non-lethal.’”
“Nothing is perfect,” says Siciliano. “I’ve mentioned this before. The term ‘less than lethal’ is critical. It means someone has a better chance of living than dying. It happens to be a much, much better chance.”
Last month, two high-profile incidents in Chicago, Ill., led some to take their criticism of stun guns a step further. In one case, a 14-year-old boy went into cardiac arrest after withstanding a stun gun shot. In the other incident, a 54-year-old schizophrenic man died after police shot him with a stun gun. Groups are now calling for a moratorium on law enforcement’s use of stun guns. Yet The Arizona Republic’s Robert Anglen and others have reported that Rick Smith, CEO of Taser, and additional executives there have continually insisted that the company’s weapons are safe, pointing to numerous studies across academia and law enforcement to back up the claim.
“It is time to put these two incidents and all future stun gun deaths to bed,” said Siciliano. “Both cases involved assailants who were resisting arrest and needed to be restrained. Again, ‘less than lethal’ means you have a better chance of living than dying. It is not a guarantee, and groups criticizing stun gun use have an obligation not to lead the public into thinking otherwise.”
Two other stun gun manufacturers have promised to challenge the Arizona-based Taser’s corner on the stun gun market: North Carolina–based Law Enforcement Associates Corporation and Stinger Systems, which recently relocated to Springfield, Massachusetts, home to centuries-old firearm manufacturer Smith & Wesson.
***
Siciliano is available to speak with the media about the importance of promoting law enforcement’s use of stun guns. Featured on CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, CNBC, "ABC News with Sam Donaldson," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael" and "The Howard Stern Show," Siciliano has conducted workshops and seminars nationwide that have earned critical praise.
Certified as an instructor of safety and security by dozens of state governing boards, he teaches people nationwide how to avoid and escape assaults. Numerous industry associations have certified his programs to provide their members with security training. He has been quoted in Reuters, RealtyTimes.com, Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping, Mademoiselle, The New York Post, The New York Times, The Washington Times, and elsewhere.
Siciliano can be reached at 1-800 STUNGUN (788-6486). The URL www.stungun.com leads to his Web site. Siciliano's contact information follows:
Robert L. Siciliano
Personal Security Expert
phone: 1-800 STUNGUN (788-6486)
fax: 877-2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@StunGun.com
The media are encouraged to get in touch with Siciliano directly. They may also contact:
STETrevisions, strategic communications
Brent W. Skinner, President
cell: 617-875-4859
fax: 866-663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Police departments should continue, unabated, in their use and acquisition of stun guns, according to Robert Siciliano, president of STUNGUN.COM
Police departments should continue, unabated, in their use and acquisition of stun guns, according to Robert Siciliano, president of STUNGUN.COM
(BOSTON, Massachusetts – March 1, 2005 – STUNGUN.COM) The debate over the use of stun guns continues. Manufacturers such as Arizona-based Taser International Inc. maintain that their stun guns are safe. Some law enforcement agencies are halting orders while most proceed with plans to arm police forces with stun guns. Certain groups oppose the use of such guns. Advocates for the technology are going to great lengths to prove the safety of less-than-lethal weapons.
“Stun guns save hundreds of police officers’ lives every year, not to mention the lives of countless criminals.” says Robert Siciliano, president of StunGun.com. “Law enforcement officers who might have otherwise pumped lead into assailants before the advent and proliferation of less-than-lethal weapons now mercifully stun criminals.”
An expert in personal security and identity theft, Siciliano is author of “The Safety Minute: 01.” He has been featured on CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, and CNBC.
The Associated Press and others have reported that a handful of law enforcement agencies such as the Chicago Police Department and the Boston Police Department have delayed stun gun use or further distribution of the weapons. Decisions have been in response to controversy involving high-profile deaths surrounding stun guns.
Yet most police departments plan to continue using stun guns, and proponents of stun guns have been subjecting themselves to stuns to further the cause. These emissaries for the use of stun guns are showing just how “less than lethal” the technology can be.
“It is time to put all this controversy surrounding possible stun gun deaths to bed,” says Siciliano. “The term ‘less than lethal’ means someone has a better chance of living than dying. It happens to be a much, much better chance. According to official reports, about 4.2 people have died per year for the past 25 years as a possible result of stun gun use. By comparison, more than a hundred police officers die each year, and countless criminals have died over the same 25 years after being shot by police.”
Last week, Christine Wallgren, correspondent for The Boston Globe, reported on Raynham, Massachusetts’ decision, in response to voters’ support, to add a number of stun guns to the town’s police force arsenal. In a staged demonstration designed to gain citizens’ support, Louis Pacheco, the deputy police chief there, placed himself within shooting range of a stun gun–equipped officer. Pacheco quickly recovered after receiving a 50,000-volt stun from the weapon.
Pacheco’s stun is becoming common practice to promote these guns. In January, Paul Feldman, president of the North Carolina–based stun gun manufacturer Law Enforcement Associates, Inc., released a video that shows him withstanding a shot from his employer’s device.
Another North Carolina manufacturer of stun guns, Stinger Systems, recently moved its headquarters to Springfield, Massachusetts. In a move possibly indicating that conventional firearm manufacturers see long-term promise in stun gun technology, Stinger has also hired a number of former executives from Smith & Wesson, the centuries-old Springfield-based firearms manufacturer.
“Stun gun technology is a prime example of progress and an evolution of consciousness,” says Siciliano. “We no longer use firearms to shoot violent, knife-wielding criminals to death. We grant criminals the benefit of the doubt even as they threaten our lives. When bad guys lunge at us with machetes, we give them five-second stuns, lawyers, and fair trials.”
***
Siciliano is available to speak with the media about the importance of promoting law enforcement’s use of stun guns. He has earned critical praise for his workshops and seminars, which show people throughout the country how to avoid and escape assaults. He is certified as an instructor of safety and security by dozens of state governing boards. Numerous industry associations have certified his programs to provide their members with solid security training.
He has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, CNBC, "ABC News with Sam Donaldson," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael" and "The Howard Stern Show." He has been quoted in Reuters, RealtyTimes.com, Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping, Mademoiselle, The New York Post, The New York Times, The Washington Times, and elsewhere.
(BOSTON, Massachusetts – March 1, 2005 – STUNGUN.COM) The debate over the use of stun guns continues. Manufacturers such as Arizona-based Taser International Inc. maintain that their stun guns are safe. Some law enforcement agencies are halting orders while most proceed with plans to arm police forces with stun guns. Certain groups oppose the use of such guns. Advocates for the technology are going to great lengths to prove the safety of less-than-lethal weapons.
“Stun guns save hundreds of police officers’ lives every year, not to mention the lives of countless criminals.” says Robert Siciliano, president of StunGun.com. “Law enforcement officers who might have otherwise pumped lead into assailants before the advent and proliferation of less-than-lethal weapons now mercifully stun criminals.”
An expert in personal security and identity theft, Siciliano is author of “The Safety Minute: 01.” He has been featured on CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, and CNBC.
The Associated Press and others have reported that a handful of law enforcement agencies such as the Chicago Police Department and the Boston Police Department have delayed stun gun use or further distribution of the weapons. Decisions have been in response to controversy involving high-profile deaths surrounding stun guns.
Yet most police departments plan to continue using stun guns, and proponents of stun guns have been subjecting themselves to stuns to further the cause. These emissaries for the use of stun guns are showing just how “less than lethal” the technology can be.
“It is time to put all this controversy surrounding possible stun gun deaths to bed,” says Siciliano. “The term ‘less than lethal’ means someone has a better chance of living than dying. It happens to be a much, much better chance. According to official reports, about 4.2 people have died per year for the past 25 years as a possible result of stun gun use. By comparison, more than a hundred police officers die each year, and countless criminals have died over the same 25 years after being shot by police.”
Last week, Christine Wallgren, correspondent for The Boston Globe, reported on Raynham, Massachusetts’ decision, in response to voters’ support, to add a number of stun guns to the town’s police force arsenal. In a staged demonstration designed to gain citizens’ support, Louis Pacheco, the deputy police chief there, placed himself within shooting range of a stun gun–equipped officer. Pacheco quickly recovered after receiving a 50,000-volt stun from the weapon.
Pacheco’s stun is becoming common practice to promote these guns. In January, Paul Feldman, president of the North Carolina–based stun gun manufacturer Law Enforcement Associates, Inc., released a video that shows him withstanding a shot from his employer’s device.
Another North Carolina manufacturer of stun guns, Stinger Systems, recently moved its headquarters to Springfield, Massachusetts. In a move possibly indicating that conventional firearm manufacturers see long-term promise in stun gun technology, Stinger has also hired a number of former executives from Smith & Wesson, the centuries-old Springfield-based firearms manufacturer.
“Stun gun technology is a prime example of progress and an evolution of consciousness,” says Siciliano. “We no longer use firearms to shoot violent, knife-wielding criminals to death. We grant criminals the benefit of the doubt even as they threaten our lives. When bad guys lunge at us with machetes, we give them five-second stuns, lawyers, and fair trials.”
***
Siciliano is available to speak with the media about the importance of promoting law enforcement’s use of stun guns. He has earned critical praise for his workshops and seminars, which show people throughout the country how to avoid and escape assaults. He is certified as an instructor of safety and security by dozens of state governing boards. Numerous industry associations have certified his programs to provide their members with solid security training.
He has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, CNBC, "ABC News with Sam Donaldson," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael" and "The Howard Stern Show." He has been quoted in Reuters, RealtyTimes.com, Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping, Mademoiselle, The New York Post, The New York Times, The Washington Times, and elsewhere.
