Florida PTA Takes Stance on Stun Guns

Florida PTA Takes Stance on Stun Guns


Sunday November 13, 2005 2:46 PM

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Taking its first official position on the use of stun guns, the Florida PTA is calling for the devices to be used only as an alternative to shooting a student with a gun and urging lawmakers to further study the device's effect on people.

Delegates at the PTA's annual convention in Jacksonville voted for the resolution Saturday.

The PTA had initially called for banning the use of stun guns on children under 18, but some opposed that. In a compromise, the organization instead called for them to be used only as an alternative to using deadly force.

Stun guns - such as the controversial Taser used by police - shoot electrified barbs, temporarily incapacitating a person with 50,000 volts.

``I'd rather have a child Tasered than shot,'' Stovall said.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5412000,00.html

That's called a stance?

What ages of 'children' are they referring to? Given Florida's history of losing and abusing children, I would hope that any decisions are based on what's appropriate for children, but I wouldn't get my hopes up.

I read a couple of cases involving Kindergartens. If one or TWO (in one of these cases) ADULT police officers cannot subdue an out of control 5 year old girl, they have no business being cops. She didn't have any weapons.

I work in the mental health field. Before I could be certified for employment, I had to take a week long training class. Part of that training included maneuvers on to how subdue or take down an out of control client. I am a 5'1", 100 lb woman. I had to demonstrate I could do this with a 6', 200 lb. male, coworker. It's not easy, but can be done. In some of the take down, and not just subdue techniques, it takes two people. But then, there aren't two cops in a car?

A 4 foot something, 50 lb. CHILD? No sweat at all. You would not need to take her down, just subdue her. I KNOW some people will say she was throwing things. Yep, we went through THAT training too. In fact, in the 6 months I have been working, I have had clients who have thrown chairs, desks, telephones, and once almost a TV.

It just seems to me that law enforcement wants to not bother and take the EASY WAY out. Even when it comes to children.

Giant babies are a real problem, and unless we ban gay marriage, they will continue to grow bigger and more numerous until they desttoy Tokyo.

However, there are some restrictions about how and when an official
can use physical force in order to get an offending minor under control. I could see how the police were conflicted as to the best way to control the child.

That's the new law in Florida.

how cruel :hi:

I attended the Florida Platform Convention and I thought I might clear up a few issues that didn't quite get reported in the news. It might help with your discussion on this issue.
If our resolve is passed, no one will taser a 5 year old unless that 5 year old is shooting at a police officer.
What Florida PTA resolved was this:

Whereas, The use of Taser guns/stun devices by law enforcement officials has been steadily increasing; and

Whereas, There has been a rise in injuries and fatalities due to Taser gun/stun device usage in recent years; and

Whereas, The effects of Taser guns/stun devices on the human body and in particular on children, are largely unresearched and questions
regarding its safety have been raised; and

Whereas, Safety concerns have prompted the United States Department of Homeland Security and several police departments to either fully
suspend or review the use of Taser guns/stun devices; and

Whereas, Currently there are no statutes that regulate the use of Taser guns/stun devices in Florida;

now therefore be it Resolved,
That the Florida PTA urges the Florida Legislature to authorize an independent study on the effects of Taser guns/stun devices on the human body, especially children, persons with disabilities and other vulnerabilities, provide a mechanism for training of officers based on research;

and be it further Resolved,
That the use of Taser guns/stun devices may be used only in the instance that lethal force would otherwise be used, and in the event it is used, that the same review process be followed as though lethal force had been used.