Tasers used for Violent Crime- you knew it was just a matter of time.
January 22, 2008 – 7:49 pm
Flood any market with weapons and they’ll soon end up in the hands of the wrong sort of people. The whole third world is awash in AK-47’s; now electroshock weapons have made their way from the hands of law enforcement into the hands of law breakers. Don’t be shocked; it’s a natural progression.
Police like tasers. Tasers intimidate, incapacitate, and force compliant behavior without a lot of physical effort and without always causing death. Criminals like them for exactly the same reasons. I’ve wondered aloud how long it would be before we learned of tasers used by someone other than law enforcement or military for these purposes.
I guess I haven’t been paying much attention. Here’s a short list I found with a very quick web search using the phrase “taser crime”. It’s important to note whether these crimes involve Tasers or mere stun guns. News outlets are careful to note the difference.
- Taser Robbery at Tavern 30 January 2006 (Iowa City, IA)
- Stun Gun Home Invasion 12 January 2007 (Merrick, NY)
- Taser Home Invasion 6 February 2007 (La Jolla, CA)
- Stun Gun Robbery, theft of i-Phone 15 October 2007 (El Cajon, CA)
- Taser Robbery at ATM 11 November 2007 (Murietta, CA)
- Stun Gun Rape 10 December 2007 (Alpharetta, GA)
- Taser Tourist Robbery 14 December 2007 (Saipan)
- Taser Tourist Robbery 12 January 2008 (Saipan)
None of the reports include descriptions of criminals tasering a victim repeatedly, or for a prolonged period of time. Maybe they’re too goal oriented to waste time making their victims squirm, scream and dance. Maybe they don’t get off on it the way some cops seem to. Maybe they just haven’t learned those tricks from the police, or from YouTube, yet. I have found no news of a taser being used in organized crime, drug deals, gang violence, rape, or kidnapping. Be patient; with the proliferation of police tasers and the introduction of toy “lady tasers” perfect for personalizing with added bling, there are more and more tasers on the street every day.
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