Re:At Taser maker Axon, ex-staffers say loyalty meant being ...
by vorpalhex on Thursday August 31, 2023 @09:10AM
(#37336616)
Batons *really* kill people next to pepper spray and tasers. It's a steel rod (or wooden if very old).
One of the selling points of a baton is that it can be used lethally. If you start engaging with a baton and the suspect pulls a knife, you still use the baton but use different strike areas.
Pepper spray causes irritation and is corrected with water. Deaths usually occur in someone with compromised airways or who has heart issues. Tasers leave no impacts and cause deaths in those with heart issues.
Batons break bones and disable joints. The old school method was to break the suspects collarbone which makes raising the arm very hard - but that is difficult for a smaller person so now they use disabling joint strikes. The side of the knee cap is a nice prime spot.
In theory it is good to have a middle ground between batons and pistols for handling e.g. knife wielding mental patients or whatever. But I don't think these kind of special weapons like papper spray or tazers should be given to anything but designated units specialized in handling insane people. Ordinary cops are just too stupid to be given ways to "safely" hurt people. They will use it too much.