Good Times with Weapons

According to Amnesty International, "since June 2001, more than 351 individuals in the United States have died after being shocked by police Tasers.... [Amnesty] is concerned that Tasers are being used as tools of routine force -- rather than as an alternative to firearms." Perhaps police officers' enthusiasm for reaching for their Taser is because they're not viewed as 'real' weapons? Maybe they see them more like the baton, something that can be used if the sheeple do not respect their authoritah?

Some police officers in WA, at least, certainly see them as just a bit of fun and games. It's been revealed that Tasers were being used in initiation ceremonies. The article states that "a sergeant and a senior constable have been stood down on full pay [of course] and two constables have been confined to office duties." If police officers use these things on their mates for a laugh, how hesitant will they be to use them on members of the public?