Lawsuit alleges Taser misrepresented safety of stun gun

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

PHOENIX - A wrongful death lawsuit filed in Maricopa County alleges that stun-gun manufacturer Taser has misrepresented the safety of its weapon.

The family of Keith Graff, a 24-year old who died after a confrontation with Phoenix police officers who shocked him with a Taser, brought the lawsuit Friday.

The lawsuit said Taser failed to warn police about the dangers of its product. It also raises questions about the validity of Taser's medical studies and accused the company of disregarding information from doctors, researchers and medical examiners who have identified potential problems with the weapon.

<snip>

"Medical experts studying Taser devices have concluded that they are among the safest means to subdue violent individuals who could harm law enforcement officers, innocent citizens or themselves," Tuttle said in an e-mail statement.

More: http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/breaking/081305taser.php

[katsy]

1. FINALLY

[cyberpj]

2. Taser pushes its stun guns for public - from July 24 2005

Posted on Sun, Jul. 24, 2005
Taser pushes its stun guns for public
Taser International is offering its controversial stun guns for sale to the general public, raising concerns among police, legal experts and a human rights group.

The manufacturer of the stun guns cops carry on their belts is launching an aggressive marketing campaign to boost sales of the weapon to the public, a move police fear will put a dangerous and largely unregulated weapon on the streets.

The city chosen by Taser International executives to launch the new sales blitz: Miami, beginning Tuesday.

Sales of the weapon -- though banned in eight states -- are legal in Florida, where background checks on buyers are not required by law. Business is already brisk at local stores.

Law enforcement authorities worry that the so-called Taser, which can paralyze its victim temporarily, will get in the hands of criminals. (Gee...ya think?...)
more...
http://www.kansas.com/mld/miamiherald/12208561.htm

by the way...
The day before Kerik quit, it was reported that he had made $6.2 million by exercising stock options he obtained as a board member of Taser, which has sold stun guns to the Homeland Security Department and is seeking more contracts.

Taser itself is under federal and state scrutiny over the safety of its stun guns and accounting issues. The Securities and Exchange Commission is also conducting an informal probe into Taser's safety claims. The company maintains that the guns are safe.

So somebody please tell me why they're starting to sell them to the public NOW?

http://www.nysscpa.org/home/2005/305/4week/article7.htm

[ConcernedCanuk]

3. Stun weapons been available on line for ages

.
.
.

Check some out!

"The Dual Defense System is the most advanced self-defense system available. It can be used up close as a stun gun by using the Thunder Strike Stun Gun or can be used up to 17 feet away as a Taser with the Lightning Strike Cassette.


Even available to look like a cell phone
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Cell phone stun gun is a combination personal alarm and 180,000 volt stun gun with case.
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Now you'll be lookin at cell phones with a diffrent view, hmmmm?

[cyberpj]

5. Wow. And a discount if you buy in quantity too. I can't even

express how this makes me feel.

[Voltaire99]

4. Anyone know if Taser was covered by the recent act of Congress...

protecting handgun makers from civil litigation?