Tasers could enter civilian market if Mich. bill passes

MSU students could have another way to protect themselves if a bill allowing civilian use of nonlethal Tasers passes in the Michigan House of Representatives.

Rep. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, has introduced legislation to put a civilian Taser — which is a one-shot, less-powerful weapon than what police forces use — on the market in Michigan.

“In my 33 years on the force, I would say there were easily hundreds of cases where somebody could have stopped either a serious assault, possibly murder and several cases of rape (with a personal Taser),” said Jones, a former Eaton County sheriff. “I definitely believe the device could have helped.”

If the bill being considered by the Judiciary Committee passes, Tasers would be subject to the same rules as acquiring a pistol. Civilians would need to attend training classes, submit to a background check and penalties for misuse would be the same as those for pistols.

Since Taser use would follow the same guidelines as pistols, though, college campuses still would be considered a do-not-carry zone, Jones said, adding that if the initial bill passes he would think about drafting legislation to allow Tasers on campus.

Rep. Terry Brown, D-Pigeon, whose daughter attends MSU, co-sponsored Jones’ bill but said he is hesitant to open campuses to Tasers because there is insufficient research on civilian Tasers.

“I’m not sure I would go that far yet,” Brown said.

Advertising junior Heather Winterstein said she doesn’t see a practical use for Tasers on campus.

“If it’s not out of control, then there’s no use for it,” she said. “I think you could just use pepper spray or something like that.”

Currently, 43 states sell over-the-counter civilian Tasers that can be used anywhere.

Ron Dehne, president of Michigan Taser Distributing and an adjunct assistant criminal justice professor at Madonna University, said he supports opening campuses to civilian Tasers because background checks, training and their nonlethal effect make Tasers a reliable instrument.

“It’s certainly campus-safe,” said Dehne, whose daughter attends MSU. “Your campus police department is equipped with them. It’s an appropriate environment.”

East Lansing police Sgt. Mike Phillips said while there are positives and negatives to the issue, he is Concerned that students who walk on campus while Intoxicated might misuse a Taser.

“(I would be worried) that students would have a Taser on them while they’re drinking and with impaired judgment work themselves into a situation they don’t need to be in,” Phillips said.

Jones said the required training program and background checks would be enough to ensure people use Tasers responsibly.

“We didn’t want them just hanging on the shelf at Meijer’s,” he said.

Electrical engineering sophomore Brett Donlon said he probably wouldn’t bother to obtain a Taser.

“How many people actually have handguns?” Donlon said. “I probably wouldn’t go through the trouble of going through training or getting papers.”

Published on Wednesday, March 19, 2008