103 Taser stun gun deaths since 2001, says report

There have been 103 Taser stun-gun related deaths in the US and Canada since June 2001, according to a new report.

Amnesty International described the figure as “staggering” and warned that the number of Taser-related deaths was rising.

In the first three months of this year there were 13 related deaths, compared with six during the same period last year, Amnesty’s report said.

Amnesty also condemned the Arizona-based company for allegedly massaging figures.

“Taser International wildly exaggerates the number of incidents in which the use of a Taser resulted in a life saved,” the report said.

Taser International president Tom Smith has defended the product, claiming there is no scientific or medical evidence to suggest they are dangerous devices.

“No confrontation is risk free,” he said. “The Taser is the safest way to end violent confrontations for law enforcement.”

Stun guns deliver 50,000 volt shocks intended to disable suspected criminals.