Police in Argentina's capital to start using stun guns
-
Loading... - Valentino Alvarez
- 10 May 2023
- 67 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
The municipality of Buenos Aires, controlled by the opposition, announced on Tuesday that their law enforcement agents will begin employing stun guns. This move is similar to the national government's implementation of the same, as they try to tackle the persistent preoccupation with criminal activity during an election year.
The Argentinean capital will soon import 150 Tasers and initiate their use during June or July, following appropriate training of the officers involved. These electroshock weapons are already in wide use by police agencies in numerous other countries, such as the United States and Brazil. However, human rights organizations in Argentina have expressed concerns that their non-lethal label may lead to indiscriminate use by law enforcement.
Buenos Aires, governed by opposition politicians, aims to address the problem of crime in their city. Meanwhile, President Alberto Fernández's national coalition will deploy more than 100 stun guns to be used by elite forces who have received specialized training. This move is also aimed at addressing the issue of public security.
Insecurity and inflation, are the two main concerns of Argentinians before the October general election, based on public opinion polls. Thus, politicians have made it a priority to tackle criminal activity. The stun guns will mostly be used in crowded places such as train stations or the subway. The Minister of Safety and Justice, Eugenio Burzaco, also mentioned that stun guns would be particularly useful in situations where officers are under attack, but are hesitant to use firearms due to the assailant only possessing knives, which have claimed the lives of police officers in the past.
