Anne Arundel Co. Councilman Wants To Make Tasers Legal For All Adults
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) -- With gun control in the national spotlight, Anne Arundel County is facing another weapons issue. One councilman wants to make it legal for anyone 18 and over to carry a stun gun or Taser.
Monique Griego has more on the proposed bill.
The councilman says he wants to give people another option besides carrying a gun. Residents seemed torn on whether it was a good idea.
Anne Arundel County may soon give people the right to bear stun guns and Tasers as a means of self-defense.
"Some folks aren't comfortable carrying a handgun so this is going to allow them to protect themselves without deadly force that a handgun would do," said Councilman Derek Fink.
This week, Councilman Derek Fink is proposing a bill to legalize electronic control devices. If passed, Anne Arundel would be the first county in the Baltimore area to do so. State law already allows stun gun use, but individual counties have to approve and certain requirements have to be met.
"Such as you're 18 or older, a law-abiding citizen and you receive the proper paperwork when purchasing," Fink said.
WJZ asked Anne Arundel County police about the proposed bill. The union president told us he thought Fink should have consulted law enforcement because there are a lot of issues that need to be looked at, including making sure people are properly trained.
Some residents supported the move with regulation.
"I think it's a better option than using a gun," said Casey Cahill.
"As long as you're over 18 and you don't have a criminal record, you should be allowed to do that," said Geoff Long.
Others felt the risk was too high.
"I think too many people are going to use them for the wrong reason," said Chris Tingen.
"There's too much crime as it is and to have that would cause even more of an issue," said another resident.
Right now, only police officers are allowed to have stun guns in Anne Arundel County.
If approved, Fink is hoping to have the law take effect this May.
