News Story - Idaho State Journal

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Lawmakers concerned about self-defense rights narrowly killed a proposal on Thursday that would have required a concealed weapon permit to carry stun guns in Idaho.

The House State Affairs Committee split 7-7 on the bill, which would also have restricted the sale of Tasers and similar devices to minors. A bill requires a majority vote in committee to advance.

''I'm concerned about taking a tool away from law-abiding citizens,'' said Rep. Lynn Luker, R-Boise. ''I think our citizens need to have some options.''

The Fraternal Order of Police and Idaho Sheriff's Association backed the proposal because of fears over potential misuse of the weapons.

Michael Kane, a lobbyist for the sheriff's association, told lawmakers that stun guns are generally safe but that some devices being marketed to the public can debilitate people for as long as 30 seconds. Police officers mostly use Tasers designed to immobilize people for 5 seconds, enough time for backup officers to intervene.

''These things can incapacitate you and drop you to the floor in half a second,'' Kane said. ''We're making it clear to the public that if you're going to buy one of these things, you need to have a permit.''

Earlier this week, the Idaho Senate unanimously passed a separate bill to bar the carrying of stun guns by anyone convicted of a felony whose gun rights have not been restored.

The devices have come under scrutiny in part because of nationwide controversy over their use by law enforcement. In a statement last October, Amnesty International said it has collected data on more than 270 U.S. cases of individuals who died after being jolted by police Tasers, the most common brand used by law enforcement, since June 2001.

Public safety officials throughout the country have been moving to restrict, and in some cases ban, the use of stunning devices in their departments.

The concerns have also prompted states to limit use of the weapons among the general public. At least seven states - Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Wisconsin - bar citizens from owning the weapons, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

States like Arkansas and Nevada have passed laws over the last several years that allow limited possession of the devices.

Taser International Inc. of Scottsdale, Ariz., denies its products are solely to blame in any deaths, arguing that drugs, health conditions or other factors have been the causes. The company says that more than 11,500 law enforcement, corrections and military agencies use the devices across the world.

Lawmakers on the committee said they believe there's no indication that the devices kill or seriously injure people and should be treated differently than firearms.

''I'm thinking about Mace, how people use Mace as a self-protective device,'' said Rep. Ken Andrus, R-Lava Hot Springs. ''Since (a stun gun) doesn't kill, I think it should be available.''

This document was originally published online on Saturday, March 15, 2008

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