Stun Guns Could Reduce Police Shootings

New York, NY —

Police commissioner Ray Kelly says officers should start using TASER stun guns in cases where a firearm isn't necessary. The recommendations came after the RAND Corporation released a study of 455 police shootings from 2002 to 2006.

REPORTER: In 25 of those cases, according to the report's author, Bernard Rostker, officers could have used stun guns instead.

ROSTKER: When we said there were a number of cases-it's cases where if a TASER had been used the situation would not have progressed to the point where a gun was necessary.

REPORTER: Kelly said a small number of supervisors already have TASERs, but the department has been reluctant to broaden their use because of concerns from human rights groups.

He said, based on the RAND report, the department should pilot a project in a few precincts to study how the guns are used and what sort of training is needed. Kelly said he did not have the money for the pilot project yet.