Changes

[[Image:Taser 468x342.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Policeman aiming a Taser Gun.]] The device shoots an electrode, attached by a wire to a battery, which delivers a powerful electric shock. The taser is used to subdue suspects who resist arrest, as well as for personal self-defense.  

[[Image:Taser 468x342.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Policeman aiming a Taser Gun.]] The device shoots an electrode, attached by a wire to a battery, which delivers a powerful electric shock. The taser is used to subdue suspects who resist arrest, as well as for personal self-defense.  

It is favored by people who want to subdue a suspect or assailant without killing him, but is opposed by some people and [[liberal]] groups (like [[Amnesty International]] and the [[ACLU]]). In rare cases, being shot with a taser has resulted in death. <ref>''The Trouble With Tasers - What The Manufacturer Doesn’t Want You To Know'' 7 March 2007 [http://www.crunchgear.com/2007/03/07/a-crunchgear-investigation-the-trouble-with-tasers-what-the-manufacturer-doesnt-want-you-to-know/ CrunchGear]. Accessed 5 January 2008.</ref>  These deaths are often attributed to excited delirium, a [[heart]] condition related to illegal drug use (such as [[cocaine]] or [[methamphetamine]]) or [[mental illness]].  This attribution has been controversial, because "excited delirium" is almost never diagnosed outside of police custody.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15001627 Suspects' deaths blamed on 'excited delirium'] (Associated Press, Sept. 25, 2006</ref>

It is favored by people who want to subdue a suspect or assailant without killing him, but is opposed by some people and [[liberal]] groups (like [[Amnesty International]] and the [[ACLU]]). In rare cases, being shot with a taser has resulted in death. <ref>''The Trouble With Tasers - What The Manufacturer Doesn’t Want You To Know'' 7 March 2007 [http://www.crunchgear.com/2007/03/07/a-crunchgear-investigation-the-trouble-with-tasers-what-the-manufacturer-doesnt-want-you-to-know/ CrunchGear]. Accessed 5 January 2008.</ref>  These deaths are often attributed to excited delirium, a [[heart]] condition, drug use or [[mental illness]].  This attribution has been controversial, because "excited delirium" is almost never diagnosed outside of police custody.<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15001627 Suspects' deaths blamed on 'excited delirium'] (Associated Press, Sept. 25, 2006</ref>

[[YouTube]] has some videos of young men resisting arrest, getting tasered, and then claiming the police used excessive force or abused their authority.  

[[YouTube]] has some videos of young men resisting arrest, getting tasered, and then claiming the police used excessive force or abused their authority.