In the early 2000s, the ACLU of Colorado was one of the earliest voices questioning and rebutting the promotion of tasers and other electroshock weapons as "nonlethal" silver bullets that law enforcement officers could deploy without harming civilians. The ACLU compiled reports from around the county of persons who died in connection with law enforcement's use of tasers. In letters and advocacy outside the courtroom, the ACLU of Colorado raised issues about law enforcement's increasing use of tasers and stun guns.
The ACLU questioned whether the proponents' claims that the weapons are nonlethal are sufficiently trustworthy to justify use-of-force policies that authorize police to use the weapons in situations where there is no threat to the safety of law enforcement officers or civilians. The ACLU also raised concerns about increasingly-common reports that law enforcement officers have been using electroshock weapons abusively, such as shocking suspects who have already been handcuffed or otherwise restrained.
ACLU news release and commentary:
- "Citing in-custody deaths, ACLU calls for policy change to limit use of tasers," ACLU News Release, February 26, 2004
- "ACLU charges unnecessary force and torture in letter summarizing complaints about Colorado law enforcement agencies abusing tasers and stun guns," ACLU News Release, March 16, 2004
- "Speakout: Taser maker staunchly defends product even as bodies pile up," Mark Silverstein and Mindy Barton, Rocky Mountain News, August 19, 2006
Media:
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“ACLU seeks to restrict use of Taser guns,” The Pueblo Chieftain, March 1, 2004
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“As Shocks Replace Police Bullets, Deaths Drop but Questions Arise,” New York Times, March 7, 2004
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“ACLU wants safeguards against abuse of Tasers; Complaints arise despite policies for use of weapons,” Rocky Mountain News, March 17, 2004
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“Tasers in cross hairs again,” The Denver Post, July 16, 2007
ACLU case number
2003-19
