According to Taser International, tasers are intended “to incapacitate dangerous, combative, or high-risk subjects who pose a risk to law enforcement officers, innocent citizens, or themselves”.
Tasers are illegal or subject to legal restrictions on their availability and use in many jurisdictions.
Police officers in at least five US states have filed lawsuits against Taser International claiming they suffered serious injuries after being shocked with the device during training classes.
The UN Committee Against Torture (CAT), an agency charged with overseeing the application of the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, arrived at the conclusion on Friday, November 23, 2007, that the use of the electric pulse Taser gun constitutes a “form of torture” and “can even provoke death.”
Summit County, Ohio Medical Examiner Lisa J. Kohler cited Taser use as a cause of death in three cases, Mark D. McCullaugh, Dennis S. Hyde, and Richard Holcomb. Taser International sued, and on May 2, 2008, visiting judge Ted Schneiderman ordered the Medical Examiner to remove all references to “Taser” in the reports and change the cause of death in McCullaugh’s case from “Homicide” to “Undetermined.” Deputy Sheriff Stephen Krendick remains on trial for McCullaugh’s murder.
On June 9, 2008 Taser International lost its first Product-Liability Suit.