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| Police stun gun expansion planned | Police stun gun expansion planned |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| More front-line police officers could soon be carrying 50,000-volt Taser stun guns under government plans. | More front-line police officers could soon be carrying 50,000-volt Taser stun guns under government plans. |
| Tasers - which temporarily disable a suspect - can only be used by firearms officers confronted by an armed person. | Tasers - which temporarily disable a suspect - can only be used by firearms officers confronted by an armed person. |
| Home Secretary John Reid will tell the Police Federation of England and Wales he wants non-firearms officers working in specialist units to have the weapon. | |
| But Amnesty International says Tasers can be lethal and wants a public inquiry before their use is extended. | But Amnesty International says Tasers can be lethal and wants a public inquiry before their use is extended. |
| The campaign group claims the stun guns have been linked to more than 70 deaths in America and Canada. | The campaign group claims the stun guns have been linked to more than 70 deaths in America and Canada. |
| During the last four years, Tasers have become standard police equipment in the UK and have been regarded as a less dangerous alternative to guns. They deliver an electric shock by two barbed darts trailing wires. | During the last four years, Tasers have become standard police equipment in the UK and have been regarded as a less dangerous alternative to guns. They deliver an electric shock by two barbed darts trailing wires. |
| A total of 3,000 have been issued so far, but only officers specially trained to use guns can use them. | A total of 3,000 have been issued so far, but only officers specially trained to use guns can use them. |
| Pilot planned | Pilot planned |
| The Home Office now wants Tasers to be available to police in specialist units, including tactical support teams and drugs squads. | The Home Office now wants Tasers to be available to police in specialist units, including tactical support teams and drugs squads. |
| Under its plans, officers will also be able to use the stun guns if they face violence or threats, not just if they are confronted with someone with a weapon. | Under its plans, officers will also be able to use the stun guns if they face violence or threats, not just if they are confronted with someone with a weapon. |
| At the Police Federation conference in Blackpool on Wednesday, Mr Reid is expected to announce a 12-month pilot scheme to test the Taser expansion. | At the Police Federation conference in Blackpool on Wednesday, Mr Reid is expected to announce a 12-month pilot scheme to test the Taser expansion. |
| BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said it is expected to begin in September, subject to approval by medical experts, and will involve 11 forces. | BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said it is expected to begin in September, subject to approval by medical experts, and will involve 11 forces. |