StunGun.com\'s president urges law enforcement to adopt guidelines for stun gun use
Reports continue to pile about law enforcement\'s possible misuse of stun guns. A nationally recognized security expert says national law enforcement agencies must develop and publicize guidelines for the weapons\' use.


/Guns and Firearms News Articles/ BOSTON, Massachusetts, May 6, 2005 - StunGun.com Reports continue to pile about law enforcement's possible misuse of stun guns. While the actual danger of misuse may not be nearly as high as news stories suggest, a nationally recognized security expert says national law enforcement agencies must develop and publicize guidelines for the weapons' use.

"Even though the degree of public and media outcry may be unwarranted," said Robert Siciliano, president of StunGun.com, "it is time for law enforcement to develop a unified stance on these weapons, draft guidelines for stun guns' use."

"It wouldn't hurt for law enforcement to publicize these guidelines, once developed," Siciliano continued. "Right now, police across the country are getting an earful about how bad stun guns are.

"A few bad apples have given law enforcement a bad name in the stun gun debate," Siciliano added, "and it's time to fix this image problem."

An expert in personal security and identity theft, Siciliano is author of "The Safety Minute: 01." He has been featured on CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, and CNBC.

In columns on March 13 and April 3, Jim Kouri, CPP, vice president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police, has drawn on Siciliano's expertise regarding law enforcement's use of stun guns.

On March 8, KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh interviewed Siciliano about the safety of stun guns and StunGun.com's pertinence to the industry.

In its March 25 edition, the Charlotte Business Journal quoted Siciliano on business developments in the stun gun industry. The Feb. 11 edition of The New York Post mentioned StunGun.com in its business pages.

Some reports of alleged stun gun misuse have been egregious.

Atlanta, Ga.'s WXIA-TV News 11 ran a story on an incident that occurred at a prison in the state's Gwinnett County. A videotape of the incident showed guards stunning an inmate five times. The man later died.

"Incidents such as the death at Gwinnett County's jail will always command widespread media coverage," said Siciliano. "Such a story is tragic and demands investigation."

"The news people see about stun guns typically skews toward the negative," Siciliano continued. "Yet thousands of people are not being killed precisely because police officers now have the choice of drawing stun guns instead of firearms."

Media opinion pages continue to react to the perceived problems of stun gun safety.

On May 3, the St. Petersburg Times published an editorial questioning the wisdom behind stun gun sales to civilians, a market that the world's largest stun gun manufacturer, Arizona-based Taser International, is pursuing.

"There is a growing backlash to stun guns," said Siciliano. "While the question of whether civilians should be able to use stun guns is another matter—and I believe they should—law enforcement can do much to rehabilitate its own image in this area."

"I urge law enforcement agencies to develop and then aggressively publicize well-thought-out guidelines to govern stun gun use," Siciliano concluded.

The Associated Press has recently reported on the rise of Stinger Systems, a North Carolina-based company that has shipped samples of its stun guns to more than 1,000 interested law enforcement agencies. Bob Gruder continues in his roles as chairman and chief executive at the company.

Another stun gun manufacturer is North Carolina-based Law Enforcement Associates Corporation (LENF). A late March press release from LENF announced favorable safety results from an International Electrotechnical Commission test of the firm's stun gun.

Siciliano provides consumer education solutions to Fortune 500 companies and their clients. He is available to speak with the media about stun gun technology and what it means for civilians as well as law enforcement.

Featured on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, CNBC, "ABC News with Sam Donaldson," "The Montel Williams Show," "Maury Povich," "Sally Jesse Raphael" and "The Howard Stern Show," Siciliano has earned critical praise nationwide for his workshops and seminars.

Certified as an instructor of safety and security by dozens of state governing boards, he teaches people how to avoid and escape assaults. Numerous industry associations have certified his programs to provide their members with security training. He has been quoted in reports by Reuters and United Press International and in Realty Times, The New York Post, The New York Times, CSO Magazine, The Washington Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Christian Science Monitor, Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping, Mademoiselle, and elsewhere.

Siciliano can be reached at 1-800 STUNGUN (788-6486). The URL www.stungun.com leads to his Web site. His blog is located at www.1800stungun.blogspot.com.

Siciliano's contact information follows:

Robert L. Siciliano
Personal Security Expert
phone: 1(800) STUNGUN (788-6486)
fax: (877) 2-FAX-NOW (232-9669)
Robert@StunGun.com

The media are encouraged to get in touch with Siciliano directly. They may also contact:

STETrevisions, strategic communications
Brent W. Skinner, President
cell: (617) 875-4859
fax: (866) 663-6557
BrentSkinner@STETrevisions.com

Further Related Resources:


Press Release Contact Information:

Robert Siciliano
StunGun.com
President
P.O. Box 15145
Boston, MA
United States 02215
Voice: 800-788-6486
Fax: 877-232-9669
Website: Visit Our Website