Officials seek safeguards for stun guns

USA TODAY, May, 2008 by Jordan Schrader

The increasing use of stun guns by law enforcement agencies across the USA is giving rise to studies and policies aimed at managing their use.

Stun guns are used by more than 12,700 U.S. law enforcement and military agencies, up from 500 in 2000, according to Steve Tuttle, spokesman for leading manufacturer Taser International.

As stun guns become commonplace, state and local officials seek safeguards, sometimes in response to public outcry over the use of the devices.

In April, Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell issued a report calling on the state's police agencies to set policies addressing such issues as when it is appropriate to use stun guns multiple times on one person.

The report, which followed Brattleboro police's stunning...