TASER GUNS

Early day motion 292, tabled 15 December 2008 by Tom Brake (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 47 members.

That this House expresses concern at the decision to arm 30,000 police officers with Taser stun guns; believes that such weapons should be in the hands of a select group of highly trained officers and used for specific threat purposes; further believes that strict procedures are needed to prevent misuse of such guns; asks that Tasers should not be deployed any more widely than firearms; recalls that Tasers must be used as a weapon of last resort, in situations which fall only just below the point when lethal force should be used; and rejects any move towards fully-armed, US-style policing.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 32, Labour 12, Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.