Legislator wants law to regulate Tasers

CARSON CITY -- A Nevada legislator pressed Wednesday for a state law to prevent Taser use that could result in deaths, but faced opposition from police who said they already have thorough stun-gun policies in place.

Assemblyman Joe Hogan, D-Las Vegas, told the Assembly Government Affairs Committee that his AB273 is aimed at bringing "calm and stability" to the contentious issue of such devices, and wouldn't interfere with their proper use by authorities.

Hogan, backed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, said more than 300 people have died around the country after being shocked by Tasers. That includes six people who died in the Las Vegas area since 2001. Hogan wasn't aware of such deaths elsewhere in Nevada.

"AB273 is literally a matter of life and death," Hogan said, adding more stun gun-related deaths are a certainty in Nevada without the bill's approval.

Hogan added that he tried to negotiate in advance with police representatives to get wording they'd accept, and was "extremely disappointed" with their decision to oppose the measure.

Hogan's bill provides that police must be trained in handling Tasers, and use the devices if there's "an immediate threat of serious bodily harm" to an officer or anyone else. They couldn't be used to enforce a routine order or on someone who's already handcuffed or otherwise restrained.

Lee Rowland of the ACLU said that in negotiating on AB273 the proponents tried for broad guidelines rather than "down-and-dirty specifics" seen in police policies. Rowland added that stun guns are lethal police tools that need to be recognized as "higher up the line than pepper spray."

Richard Boulware, an assistant federal public defender in Las Vegas, said a state law would ensure police accountability.