Editing Taser (section)

== Lethality ==
{{Main article|Taser safety issues}}

As with all [[less-lethal]] weapons, use of the Taser system is never risk-free. Sharp metal projectiles and electricity are in use, so misuse or abuse of the weapon increases the likelihood that serious injury or death may occur.  In addition, the manufacturer has identified other risk factors that may increase the risks of use.  Children, pregnant women, the elderly, and very thin individuals are considered at higher risk.  Persons with known medical problems, such as heart disease, history of seizure, or have a pacemaker are also at greater risk. Axon also warns that repeated, extended, or continuous exposure to the weapon is not safe. Because of this, the [[Police Executive Research Forum]] says that total exposure should not exceed 15 seconds.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Timothy |date=November 14, 2017 |title= Family of man who dies after Taser incident gets $5.5 million verdict |url= https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/11/family-of-man-who-dies-after-taser-incident-gets-5-5-million-verdict/ |access-date= January 3, 2019 }}</ref>

There are other circumstances that pose higher secondary risks of serious injury or death, including:<ref name="CEW" />

* Uncontrolled falls or subjects falling from elevated positions
* Persons running on hard or rough surfaces, like asphalt
* Persons operating machinery or conveyances (cars, motorcycles, bikes, skateboards)
* Places where explosive or flammable substances are present
* Tasers can ignite gasoline and hand sanitizer

[[Fulton County, Georgia]] District Attorney Paul Howard Jr. said in 2020 that "under Georgia law, a taser is considered as a deadly weapon."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-atlanta-shooting-11592607156|title=Opinion &#124; The Atlanta Shooting|newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=June 19, 2020|via=www.wsj.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/06/17/rayshard-brooks-atlanta-police-garrett-rolfe-felony-murder-what-now/3194657001/|title=Rayshard Brooks died after he was shot by Atlanta police officer Garrett Rolfe. What happens now?|first=Jorge Ortiz and Will|last=Peebles|website=USA TODAY}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bitchute.com/video/KWcnjGTulbva/|title=Under Georgia law a taser is considere a deadly weapon - Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard|via=www.bitchute.com}}</ref> A 2012 study published in the [[American Heart Association]]'s journal ''[[Circulation (journal)|Circulation]]'' found that Tasers can cause "ventricular [[arrhythmia]]s, [[sudden cardiac arrest]] and even death".<ref name="Circulation">{{cite journal | title = TASER Electronic Control Devices Can Cause Cardiac Arrest in Humans | journal = Circulation | date = 7 Jan 2014 | author = Douglas P. Zipes | volume = 129 | issue = 1 | pages = 101–111 | doi = 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.113.005504 | pmid =  24396013| pmc =  | s2cid = 207709146 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.acluct.org/en/press-releases/another-death-prompts-another-call-for-taser-regulation|title=Another Death Prompts Another Call for Taser Regulation|date=June 21, 2017|website=ACLU of Connecticut}}</ref> In 2014, [[NAACP]] State Conference President Scot X. Esdaile and the Connecticut NAACP argued that Tasers cause lethal results.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://patch.com/connecticut/newlondon/naacp-investigating-new-london-taser-death|title=NAACP Investigating New London Taser Death|date=October 8, 2014|website=New London, CT Patch}}</ref> [[Reuters]] reported that more than 1,000 people shocked with a Taser by police died through the end of 2018, nearly all of them since the early 2000s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/black-americans-disproportionately-die-police-104934769.html?bcmt=1|title=Black Americans disproportionately die in police Taser confrontations|date=June 15, 2020 }}</ref> At least 49 people died in the US in 2018 after being shocked by police with a Taser.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-taser-deaths-insight-idUSKCN1PT0YT|title=As death toll keeps rising, U.S. communities start rethinking Taser use|newspaper=Reuters |date=February 4, 2019|via=www.reuters.com}}</ref>