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07-15-2004

Page history last edited by PBworks 17 years, 6 months ago

July 15, 2004

ROMNEY APPROVES ELECTRONIC WEAPONS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT

Gives Police Departments Authority to Purchase and Use Effective Tool

 

Governor Mitt Romney today signed into law a measure that allows law enforcement officials to use stun guns, bringing Massachusetts in line with nearly every other state in the nation and ensuring police professionals have the most effective tools available to them to protect the public’s safety.

 

“Stun guns have proven time and time again when used by law enforcement officers in other states that they are an effective tool in stopping suspects,” said Romney. “It is high time for our men and women in blue to utilize this modern crime fighting technology.”

 

The new law, which takes effect immediately, permits law enforcement officers to purchase and use electronic weapons, commonly known as stun or TASER guns. Classified as “less-lethal” weapons, stun guns shoot two darts up to 21 feet long at a target. The darts are connected to the weapon by high-voltage insulated wire. When the darts make contact with the suspect, the electronic weapon transmits powerful electrical pulses along the wires and into the body of the suspect, stopping the individual in their tracks when hit anywhere on the body.

 

Until today, Massachusetts and New Jersey were the only two states in the country that banned these electronic weapons.

 

“Electronic weapons are an important addition to the tools that our law enforcement officers can use,” said Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, who has been a strong supporter of the legislation. “I am glad that the Legislature and the Governor have demonstrated that it is a priority to ensure that our police have the best and most effective equipment available.”

 

Prior to the use of stun guns in the field, the Executive Office of Public Safety must issue regulations and law enforcement officers must complete a training course approved by the Commonwealth. Private citizens are prohibited from owning stun guns and face a fine of up to $1,000 or up to 2½ years of imprisonment if found with one.

 

“The enactment of this law gives the Massachusetts State Police the opportunity to add another tool to assist us in subduing violent offenders without having to resort to lethal force,” said State Police Colonel Thomas Robbins.

 

“Police officers in Massachusetts are trained to use the minimum force necessary to overcome resistance in making arrests or subduing attackers,” said Boston Police Commissioner Kathleen M. O’Toole. “The availability of stun guns as a ‘less-lethal’ option will provide officers with a good alternative when presented with physical confrontations.”

 

The law also requires the Secretary of Public Safety to develop a protocol for police agencies to collect information on the discharge of stun guns that includes the number of times the weapon is used and the characteristics of the person fired upon including race and gender. After one year of data collection the Executive Office of Public Safety is required to submit the information for analysis by a university.

 

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