Stun guns in school
Should SRO's carry tasers in school?
What makes sense about this?
What concerns you?
Addendum, 3:10 p.m.: Who decides what weapons SROs carry? Within his jurisdiction, Sheriff BJ Barnes says he does.
We'll see how that plays with the school board. But I doubt the board will prevail if it challenges him on that point.
School grounds are no different than any other property when it comes to law-enforcement jurisdiction. An SRO is assigned to a certain territory within that jurisdiction just like any other patrol officer has his or her area of responsibility. Barnes says his officers will be armed and equipped the same, no matter where they're assigned.
The issue of stun guns in schools conveys the assumption that they would be used on students. Certainly, that has happened in other school systems such as Charlotte-Mecklenburg. But an SRO also might be called on to protect students against intruders.
Certainly, there's a concern about the effect of 50,000 volts on a young person. That concern should dictate that this weapon is used only in the most compelling of circumstances, when the next alternative would be a firearm. But an officer could be confronted with similar circumstances involving teenagers in other places, too -- malls, parks, neighborhoods. If you argue officers should not carry stun guns in school, you might have to argue they shouldn't carry them anywhere.
Comments (5)
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Not a thing wrong with stun guns in schools. Until the trouble makers are removed they are certainly needed. People talk about size of these trouble makers but it is not so much size as it is just outright meaness and lack of control exhibited by these individuals. They will attack and use any means at their disposal to achieve their desire.
Concerns: That some trouble maker will pull a firearm and the SRO not wishing to hurt the individual or endanger others in the area with his own weapon, will attempt to use the stun gun and be blown away.
What a shame that our schools have gotten to this level because of a handful of PC individuals who have taken any real discipline out of schools and balked at the removal of hoodlums and troublemakers.
Posted on May 8, 2006 2:35 PM
It seems to me the Taser could be the best option in some situations. If I student has a knife, you can't get close enough to use pepper spray or a baton and don't want to shoot him.
Posted on May 8, 2006 2:54 PM
It seems to me the Taser could be the best option in some situations.* Doug
Lawsuits by the laser truck loads, when the first student is zapped and who pays? The school board and county for the Sheriff law and order campaign, which of course which means you the taspayer in the end.... Goolge Taser under law suits and you see why Taser is always thinking Chapter 11 in bankrupty court when the suits come.
Posted on May 8, 2006 10:57 PM
Mr. Produce,
You've just seen with Mack's post why schools are hesitant to use real discipline in schools and allow hoodlums to stay. These are the people that prevent any real discipline in schools. The result is that no one gets an education in these schools and other studnets and teachers are always in fear of being injured. It would be interesting to determine how the Central principal really feels about the lack of discipline in schools after two trips to the hospital. Of course, Terry Grier has it so locked-down with teachers and staff they can't really say what they feel. Parents don't know the real dangers as reporting of violence and problems are suppressed.
Posted on May 8, 2006 11:49 PM
Yea and just think Stormy, his "Madame Justice" wants to be on our Supreme Court. One of the attorneys who would probably be the first in line to file a suit against the school board, the county and be hanged that the punk needed to be in jail in the first place rather than in school getting Tazed. Of course Mac will attack that statement but it seems that his way of thinking is in the same vein. Then too Mac was probably one of those students who spent the most time in detention given his line of thinking. It is negative and what we call "stinkin thinkin". You just have to ignore his rants Stormy since they never really have anything to do with the subject or make contribution to such. He just takes up space with ignorant rants. He does the same thing on "The Chairman's" blog, Must be an AADD thing.
Tasars hurt like the dickens but it sure as heck beats the pain of being shot. I did a volunteer Tasar test so I know it hurts. I have been shot as well and it for dang sure hurts. For certain it takes more than the few minutes required to recover from the Tasar.
Posted on May 9, 2006 4:01 PM