I’ve now seen the term ‘Taser Party’ come up in several news outlets. Most recently, on this morning’s Early Show on CBS. Remember Tupperware parties from the 80’s? Replace plasic storage containers with weapons and you’ll get an idea of what these parties are like.
My biggest problem with Taser parties is mostly the fact that they promote Taser use. How in the hell can you call something a non-lethal weapon if it’s killed people? In my opinion, there needs to be some serious studies done on Taser usage and the effects on the human body. What causes people to die from being shocked by these things? Why do some people have serious complications from being hit with a Taser while others don’t? Are there things that put me at a higher risk of death?
Second, the mere fact that these type of parties exist is proof people are accepting of the use of these kind of weapons. As soon as people started dying from these things, production should have been halted, research commissioned, all units recalled. Now, we’re having parties to promote the use of them? People are used to seeing these sort of parties for Tupperware, Mark Kay, and Pampered Chef. It’s just going to further reinforce the view that Tasers are safe and non-lethal when they really aren’t.
I’d be willing to bet that the people who go to these parties are already a little paranoid about their personal safety. Putting a potentially lethal weapon in their hands doesn’t seem like the best idea to me. The phrase ‘trigger happy’ comes to mind. And I sure as hell wouldn’t want to be on the wrong end of a misunderstanding involving a Taser.
