a double standard? stun guns are a deadly weapon when used by civilians but just a tool when used by cops? Original Article Bill seeks to regulate stun guns Robert Anglen The Arizona Republic Jan. 27, 2005 12:00 AM Police should have the right to shoot and kill any suspect who threatens them with a stun gun, state lawmakers said Wednesday when they took a step toward legislating the weapon in Arizona. The proposed law would also require stun-gun manufacturers to keep and maintain a registry of stun-gun buyers who must provide a government-issued identification and an address before taking possession of the weapon. House Speaker Jim Weiers, R-Phoenix, who introduced the legislation, said it seeks to head off abuse of a weapon that has been unregulated and is becoming more accessible to the public. Attorney General Terry Goddard said in a statement Wednesday that he supports the legislation because it makes clear that while stun guns are "non-lethal" weapons, they can be deadly in the wrong hands. Goddard also said he wants to make sure anyone using a stun gun during a rape or robbery can be appropriately punished. "Under current law, a criminal might argue that a stun gun is a non-deadly, non-dangerous weapon, and if the court were to agree, the criminal would receive a lesser sentence," he said. "I don't want any criminal using a stun gun to be able to slip through that legal loophole." The legislation does not specify any particular model of stun gun, but Weiers praised Scottsdale stun-gun manufacturer Taser International as "a great company in Arizona" with a great product. However, medical examiners have cited the gun in 12 deaths nationwide, The Arizona Republic has found. In three cases, they cited Taser as a cause of death. In six cases, they cited Taser as a contributing factor. In three other cases, they said the stun gun could not be ruled out as a cause of death.