| Sale of Tasers to public weighed | | | | allows residents to use a Taser or stun gun, which |
| Mich. bills would allow people with concealed | | | | has to be pressed against the skin, inside a home |
| weapons permits to carry nonlethal device. | | | | or business. |
| Delores Flynn / The Detroit News | | | | In Arizona, women attend Taser parties that |
| GRAND LEDGE -- Cana Garrison has handled guns | | | | resemble Tupperware get-togethers. In 2007, |
| since age 12, when she and her dad shot targets | | | | Taser International released its fits-in-a-purse C2 |
| in the woods behind their Charlotte home. But the | | | | model, which comes in a variety of colors, |
| Air National Guardswoman, who has rifle and pistol | | | | including metallic pink. |
| training, would rather carry a Taser than a gun. | | | | Michigan's legislation, which is under review in the |
| "With a Taser, I can still defend myself, but with | | | | House Judiciary Committee, makes it a felony for |
| less force to incapacitate a perpetrator, and at | | | | anyone to misuse or commit a crime with a |
| the same time I don't have to worry about | | | | Taser. Jones hopes the Judiciary Committee |
| hurting anyone else," she said. | | | | takes up the issue in the next two months and |
| Garrison is among those who support a three-bill | | | | the bill gets passed by the end of the year. If |
| House package that would allow Michigan residents | | | | not, he will take up the issue again in 2009. |
| with concealed-weapon permits to carry a Taser, | | | | Since the devices are only intended for |
| instead of a gun, as a less-than-lethal option for | | | | self-defense, once a Taser is shot it spits out a |
| self-defense. Under current law, only law | | | | confetti-like material containing the serial number |
| enforcement and Corrections officers, military | | | | of the cartridge that police can use to identify the |
| personnel, licensed private investigators, pilots and | | | | owner if necessary, according to Taser |
| crew members can possess weapons that use | | | | International. The company has sold Tasers since |
| electric currents. | | | | 1994 and knows of fewer than a dozen cases |
| "I believe firearms are a good thing, but I'm | | | | where the device has been used in a crime. In 14 |
| concerned about potential stray bullets harming | | | | years, more than 160,000 Tasers have been sold |
| someone, especially in my home," said Garrison, | | | | to consumers directly from the company, |
| 28, who's taken state concealed pistol license | | | | Cabela's and some firearm outlets. |
| training and is seeking a CCW permit. "If I shot | | | | Tom Urbanski, owner of Ski's Firearm Training |
| someone and the bullet went through them, then | | | | and Consulting in Oregon, Ohio, a Toledo suburb, |
| through a wall or window and hit an innocent | | | | keeps a handful of Tasers in stock in case one of |
| bystander on the sidewalk, that's the absolute last | | | | his firearms students becomes squeamish about |
| thing I'd want to happen trying to defend | | | | using a gun. "When I hit students with the fact |
| yourself." | | | | they need to aim for somebody's chest, which |
| The law would allow Michigan residents to buy | | | | might kill them in defense, I usually get a negative |
| single-shot civilian Tasers that use compressed | | | | reaction, especially from women," Urbanski said. |
| nitrogen to shoot wired darts 15 feet, delivering a | | | | "That's when I pull out the Tasers and stun guns |
| painful electrical charge that incapacitates a | | | | and offer them a different option." |
| person's muscles and limbs. And while proponents | | | | Brad Benzing doesn't support Michigan's proposed |
| argue that Tasers are a safer alternative to | | | | legislation because, as with guns, it would limit the |
| firearms, law enforcement officials and human | | | | places where Tasers can be carried. |
| rights advocates say the devices are far too | | | | No-carry zones would include schools, university |
| dangerous to entrust to the public for widespread | | | | classrooms and dorms, churches, day care |
| use. | | | | centers, hospitals, bars and taverns, sporting |
| Civilians are allowed to carry the devices in 43 | | | | arenas and entertainment facilities with 2,500 |
| states. Taser laws vary by state. Illinois only | | | | people or more. That's too restrictive for Benzing. |