Friday, April 29, 2005
The use of stun guns is progressive and healthy
As I've blogged about recently, news reports suggest that at least one legitimate competitor, Stinger Systems of North Carolina, has entered the stun gun market. This indicates that stun guns are becoming a permanent fixture in law enforcement’s arsenal -- a development I welcome as a healthy response to the realities of human behavior.
A number of human rights groups seem to be fighting stun guns every step of the way. While it is healthy in a free society to subject new practices to the microscope, people need to understand that the use of stun guns is healthy as well, an improvement in the relationship between ordinary citizens and law enforcement.
The reality is, some humans are violent, and police frequently face the tough decision of when to resort to deadly force. With a stun gun, law enforcement now has a tool to safely diffuse situations that, in the past, may have resulted in certain death.
A bullet is designed to kill. A stun is designed to incapacitate someone temporarily. Police officers must not abuse stun guns or resort to using the weapons too quickly in any given situation, but these are challenges that proper training can solve, just as it has with the use of pepper spray.
On April 25, The Associated Press again reported on the rise of Stinger Systems, a North Carolina-based company that has shipped samples of its stun guns to more than 1,000 interested law enforcement agencies.
This market is only going to expand and become more competitive. It means stun guns are here to stay.
On April 23, John Moore of The Morning News reported on research from the Department of Justice suggesting that stun guns have made law enforcement safer for police and civilians.
Stun guns are safe and preferable to traditional firearms. The focus of debate must shift from a discussion of halting their use to one of managing their use.
In its press releases, Stinger continually claims to manufacture a stun gun that is safer than the counterpart from Taser, the world's largest manufacturer of stun guns.
The two companies, as the Associated Press report suggests, are at odds over the sale of stun guns to civilians. Stinger’s CEO, Bob Gruder, is on record as questioning Taser’s wisdom in marketing the weapons to the general public. Stinger’s weapon is also different than Taser’s, utilizing a small amount of gunpowder vs. nitrogen, which Taser’s uses.
Gruder is off the mark. All we need to do is to restrict and regulate civilians’ use of stun guns, just like we do with traditional firearms.
A stun gun is safe for civilians who receive proper training. It is, in fact, the perfect weapon for young women who seek an alternative to mace or pepper spray to protect themselves against stalkers and sexual predators.
As I've blogged about recently, news reports suggest that at least one legitimate competitor, Stinger Systems of North Carolina, has entered the stun gun market. This indicates that stun guns are becoming a permanent fixture in law enforcement’s arsenal -- a development I welcome as a healthy response to the realities of human behavior.
A number of human rights groups seem to be fighting stun guns every step of the way. While it is healthy in a free society to subject new practices to the microscope, people need to understand that the use of stun guns is healthy as well, an improvement in the relationship between ordinary citizens and law enforcement.
The reality is, some humans are violent, and police frequently face the tough decision of when to resort to deadly force. With a stun gun, law enforcement now has a tool to safely diffuse situations that, in the past, may have resulted in certain death.
A bullet is designed to kill. A stun is designed to incapacitate someone temporarily. Police officers must not abuse stun guns or resort to using the weapons too quickly in any given situation, but these are challenges that proper training can solve, just as it has with the use of pepper spray.
On April 25, The Associated Press again reported on the rise of Stinger Systems, a North Carolina-based company that has shipped samples of its stun guns to more than 1,000 interested law enforcement agencies.
This market is only going to expand and become more competitive. It means stun guns are here to stay.
On April 23, John Moore of The Morning News reported on research from the Department of Justice suggesting that stun guns have made law enforcement safer for police and civilians.
Stun guns are safe and preferable to traditional firearms. The focus of debate must shift from a discussion of halting their use to one of managing their use.
In its press releases, Stinger continually claims to manufacture a stun gun that is safer than the counterpart from Taser, the world's largest manufacturer of stun guns.
The two companies, as the Associated Press report suggests, are at odds over the sale of stun guns to civilians. Stinger’s CEO, Bob Gruder, is on record as questioning Taser’s wisdom in marketing the weapons to the general public. Stinger’s weapon is also different than Taser’s, utilizing a small amount of gunpowder vs. nitrogen, which Taser’s uses.
Gruder is off the mark. All we need to do is to restrict and regulate civilians’ use of stun guns, just like we do with traditional firearms.
A stun gun is safe for civilians who receive proper training. It is, in fact, the perfect weapon for young women who seek an alternative to mace or pepper spray to protect themselves against stalkers and sexual predators.
New Competition In The Stun Gun Market May Quell Fears About This Weapon’s Safety
News reports suggest that competition in the stun gun market has entered a new phase. I welcome the development and think it will help to quell growing antagonism toward stun guns. The perception that a safer weapon is now available from a manufacturer that people may see as more responsible could spare stun guns more bad press.
According to an Associated Press report [free registration may be required to view article] on April 17, Stinger Systems, a North Carolina-based company, has shipped 1,000 samples of its stun guns to police, prisons, and members of the military this month.
In its press releases, Stinger continually claims to manufacture a stun gun that is safer than its counterpart from Taser, the world’s largest manufacturer of stun guns.
On April 12, Jack Sherzer of The Patriot-News reported that the Pennsylvania State Police plan to receive 40 stun guns from both Taser International and Stinger for a 60-day trial.
Criticisms calling into question the safety of stun guns have mostly been overreactions. People experience uncertainty when law enforcement employs new weapons technology. Taser has weathered the brunt of this phenomenon -- unfairly, I might add. But it is difficult to turn back the clock.
A new player on the stun gun scene may mitigate the frustrations of many. And it looks like Stinger may have recognized such an opportunity.
Padraic Cassidy of MarketWatch reported in early April that Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Taser cited bad publicity for lagging sales.
Taser has had many problems. The negative attention focused on Taser’s stun gun, specifically, has been largely unfair, but the damage is done. A fresh name in this market space will go a long way to quell fears, irrational as they are, about stun guns.
News reports suggest that competition in the stun gun market has entered a new phase. I welcome the development and think it will help to quell growing antagonism toward stun guns. The perception that a safer weapon is now available from a manufacturer that people may see as more responsible could spare stun guns more bad press.
According to an Associated Press report [free registration may be required to view article] on April 17, Stinger Systems, a North Carolina-based company, has shipped 1,000 samples of its stun guns to police, prisons, and members of the military this month.
In its press releases, Stinger continually claims to manufacture a stun gun that is safer than its counterpart from Taser, the world’s largest manufacturer of stun guns.
On April 12, Jack Sherzer of The Patriot-News reported that the Pennsylvania State Police plan to receive 40 stun guns from both Taser International and Stinger for a 60-day trial.
Criticisms calling into question the safety of stun guns have mostly been overreactions. People experience uncertainty when law enforcement employs new weapons technology. Taser has weathered the brunt of this phenomenon -- unfairly, I might add. But it is difficult to turn back the clock.
A new player on the stun gun scene may mitigate the frustrations of many. And it looks like Stinger may have recognized such an opportunity.
Padraic Cassidy of MarketWatch reported in early April that Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Taser cited bad publicity for lagging sales.
Taser has had many problems. The negative attention focused on Taser’s stun gun, specifically, has been largely unfair, but the damage is done. A fresh name in this market space will go a long way to quell fears, irrational as they are, about stun guns.
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Bizarre and controversial news reports of stun gun use are typical
As the controversy surrounding stun guns continues to smolder, the focus on law enforcement’s misuse of stun guns is intensifying in the form of bizarre or controversial news reports. This is typical. Stun gun use is a hot issue. The technology in its current form is alarming to many people even though stun guns save lives. Adverse reactions from the public will grow with the spread of this technology until law enforcement’s governing agencies develop responsible guidelines and publicize these.
News reports surrounding law enforcement’s alleged misuse of stun guns have run the gamut. Many stories have been bizarre, controversial, or both:
-As reported by Henry Pierson Curtis of the Sun-Sentinel on April 6, a woman wrote a letter to the Orlando Sentinel editor last month calling Orange County Sheriff Kevin Beary “fat.” Beary had willingly and publicly subjected himself to a stun gun shot to prove the weapon’s safety. The woman’s letter was in response to his actions.
-NewsTarget.com reported on April 8 that a man in Florida arrested for alleged drug use and soon thereafter hospitalized refused to give a urine sample. According to the report, a police officer used a stun gun to shoot the man, who was handcuffed and secured with leather straps to a bed at the time.
-Angela Rozas of the Chicago Tribune reported on March 15 that an altercation in Berwyn, Ill., between a 17-year-old student and a police officer, both on a high school’s grounds, led the police officer to shoot the boy with a stun gun. According to the article, the boy first shoved the police officer. Police charged the boy with aggravated assault. An ABC 7 Chicago report quotes the boy’s family’s attorney questioning why police are using stun guns at schools.
-In a lengthy April 3 article about stun gun safety, Newsday's John Riley reported on a March 4 high school stun gun incident that took place in Roseville, Minn. A police officer used a stun gun to shoot a 15-year-old girl who the article reports had become “unruly.”
-ABC News and others reported an early March incident at a Chuck E. Cheese in Aurora, Colo. Police employed a stun gun to subdue a man who, accused of not paying for use of the salad bar, allegedly shoved an officer.
Something obviously went awry in many of these incidents. And it is understandable for people to raise their eyebrows. Yet, when journalists craft eye-grabbing headlines such as "Man Hit with Stun Gun at Salad Bar" or "Man Shot With Stun Gun for Refusing Urine Sample," we have a problem with exaggeration.
Placement of blame on the instrument, the stun gun, and on law enforcement, in general, is a mistake. Those who berate police for using stun guns might do well to tone down their rhetoric. Decision-makers have trouble even entertaining legitimate solutions when useful ideas rarely even rise above the din of hyperbole emanating from stun guns’ foes.
As the controversy surrounding stun guns continues to smolder, the focus on law enforcement’s misuse of stun guns is intensifying in the form of bizarre or controversial news reports. This is typical. Stun gun use is a hot issue. The technology in its current form is alarming to many people even though stun guns save lives. Adverse reactions from the public will grow with the spread of this technology until law enforcement’s governing agencies develop responsible guidelines and publicize these.
News reports surrounding law enforcement’s alleged misuse of stun guns have run the gamut. Many stories have been bizarre, controversial, or both:
-As reported by Henry Pierson Curtis of the Sun-Sentinel on April 6, a woman wrote a letter to the Orlando Sentinel editor last month calling Orange County Sheriff Kevin Beary “fat.” Beary had willingly and publicly subjected himself to a stun gun shot to prove the weapon’s safety. The woman’s letter was in response to his actions.
-NewsTarget.com reported on April 8 that a man in Florida arrested for alleged drug use and soon thereafter hospitalized refused to give a urine sample. According to the report, a police officer used a stun gun to shoot the man, who was handcuffed and secured with leather straps to a bed at the time.
-Angela Rozas of the Chicago Tribune reported on March 15 that an altercation in Berwyn, Ill., between a 17-year-old student and a police officer, both on a high school’s grounds, led the police officer to shoot the boy with a stun gun. According to the article, the boy first shoved the police officer. Police charged the boy with aggravated assault. An ABC 7 Chicago report quotes the boy’s family’s attorney questioning why police are using stun guns at schools.
-In a lengthy April 3 article about stun gun safety, Newsday's John Riley reported on a March 4 high school stun gun incident that took place in Roseville, Minn. A police officer used a stun gun to shoot a 15-year-old girl who the article reports had become “unruly.”
-ABC News and others reported an early March incident at a Chuck E. Cheese in Aurora, Colo. Police employed a stun gun to subdue a man who, accused of not paying for use of the salad bar, allegedly shoved an officer.
Something obviously went awry in many of these incidents. And it is understandable for people to raise their eyebrows. Yet, when journalists craft eye-grabbing headlines such as "Man Hit with Stun Gun at Salad Bar" or "Man Shot With Stun Gun for Refusing Urine Sample," we have a problem with exaggeration.
Placement of blame on the instrument, the stun gun, and on law enforcement, in general, is a mistake. Those who berate police for using stun guns might do well to tone down their rhetoric. Decision-makers have trouble even entertaining legitimate solutions when useful ideas rarely even rise above the din of hyperbole emanating from stun guns’ foes.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
StunGun.com’s President Sees Officials’ Recent Call for Specific Guidelines Governing Law Enforcement’s Use of Stun Guns Responsible
StunGun.com’s President Sees Officials’ Recent Call for Specific Guidelines Governing Law Enforcement’s Use of Stun Guns as a Responsible Response to Irresponsible Criticism
BOSTON, Massachusetts – April 5, 2005 – StunGun.com) A human rights organization released information last week saying 102 people since June 2001 have died after receiving a shock from a stun gun. Meanwhile, on Sunday, April 3, a major law enforcement association called for new guidelines in the use of stun guns. According to a nationally recognized security expert, these two developments are not news.
“These latest developments in the debate over stun gun use,” said Robert Siciliano, president of StunGun.com, “illustrate the predictable impetuosity of stun guns’ opponents and the even-handed approach everyone knows police organizations always take as they learn how to use new weapons.” 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’ Beth DeFalco, whose article ran in The Arizona Republic, The Boston Globe, and elsewhere on April 4, included Amnesty International’s latest claim. Her story also reported that the International Association of Chiefs of Police wants “police agencies to place stun guns on a use-of-force chart” to assist officers in determining whether a given situation merits a less-than-lethal weapon’s use.
In columns on March 13 and April 3, Jim Kouri, CPP, vice president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police, has drawn on Siciliano's expertise regarding law enforcement's use of stun guns. On March 8, KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh interviewed Siciliano about the safety of stun guns and StunGun.com's pertinence to the industry.
“As I’ve mentioned before,” 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.”
“When first used by police, the pepper spray can ran into interference similar to what the stun gun is encountering today,” Siciliano continued. “A handful of questionable deaths arguably attributable to pepper spray exposure attracted inflated and undue scrutiny from groups of all kinds.”
“Police departments eventually drafted official and specific guidelines for the use of pepper spray, a tool that has since gained widespread acceptance,” Siciliano added.
“The issue of stun gun use will enjoy a similar level of attention,” Siciliano concluded. “As this week’s developments show, those who police the police are already hard at work. There should never have been any doubt about law enforcement’s worthy intentions.”
In its March 25 edition, the Charlotte Business Journal quoted Siciliano on business developments in the stun gun industry. The Feb. 11 edition of The New York Post mentioned StunGun.com in its business pages.
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 in depth by the Charlotte Business Journal, Stinger Systems has nixed plans to relocate to Springfield, Mass., home of the venerable firearms manufacturer Smith and Wesson. Former Smith and Wesson executives who were to assume leadership roles at Stinger have since left the North Carolina firm, which Robert Gruder continues to head.
###
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 reports by Reuters and United Press International and in Realty Times, The New York Post, The New York Times, CSO Magazine, The Washington Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Christian Science Monitor, Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping, Mademoiselle, 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. 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 – April 5, 2005 – StunGun.com) A human rights organization released information last week saying 102 people since June 2001 have died after receiving a shock from a stun gun. Meanwhile, on Sunday, April 3, a major law enforcement association called for new guidelines in the use of stun guns. According to a nationally recognized security expert, these two developments are not news.
“These latest developments in the debate over stun gun use,” said Robert Siciliano, president of StunGun.com, “illustrate the predictable impetuosity of stun guns’ opponents and the even-handed approach everyone knows police organizations always take as they learn how to use new weapons.” 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’ Beth DeFalco, whose article ran in The Arizona Republic, The Boston Globe, and elsewhere on April 4, included Amnesty International’s latest claim. Her story also reported that the International Association of Chiefs of Police wants “police agencies to place stun guns on a use-of-force chart” to assist officers in determining whether a given situation merits a less-than-lethal weapon’s use.
In columns on March 13 and April 3, Jim Kouri, CPP, vice president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police, has drawn on Siciliano's expertise regarding law enforcement's use of stun guns. On March 8, KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh interviewed Siciliano about the safety of stun guns and StunGun.com's pertinence to the industry.
“As I’ve mentioned before,” 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.”
“When first used by police, the pepper spray can ran into interference similar to what the stun gun is encountering today,” Siciliano continued. “A handful of questionable deaths arguably attributable to pepper spray exposure attracted inflated and undue scrutiny from groups of all kinds.”
“Police departments eventually drafted official and specific guidelines for the use of pepper spray, a tool that has since gained widespread acceptance,” Siciliano added.
“The issue of stun gun use will enjoy a similar level of attention,” Siciliano concluded. “As this week’s developments show, those who police the police are already hard at work. There should never have been any doubt about law enforcement’s worthy intentions.”
In its March 25 edition, the Charlotte Business Journal quoted Siciliano on business developments in the stun gun industry. The Feb. 11 edition of The New York Post mentioned StunGun.com in its business pages.
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 in depth by the Charlotte Business Journal, Stinger Systems has nixed plans to relocate to Springfield, Mass., home of the venerable firearms manufacturer Smith and Wesson. Former Smith and Wesson executives who were to assume leadership roles at Stinger have since left the North Carolina firm, which Robert Gruder continues to head.
###
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 reports by Reuters and United Press International and in Realty Times, The New York Post, The New York Times, CSO Magazine, The Washington Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Christian Science Monitor, Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping, Mademoiselle, 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. 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
