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State Representative
Rich Stanek

543 State Office Building, 100 Constitution Ave., St. Paul, MN 55155 (651) 296- 5502

For Immediate ReleaseFor more information contact:
March 28, 2001Sandra Whalen (651-296-5529)
NEWS RELEASE
STANEK BILL TO INCLUDE SHOCK & STUN WEAPONS
IN DEADLY FORCE DEFINITION

(ST. PAUL) A bill sponsored by Minneapolis Police Inspector and House Judiciary Finance Chairman Rich Stanek (R-Maple Grove) regarding less-lethal munitions has been approved by the House Crime Prevention Committee and advances to the full House for consideration.

HF 783 redefines the definition of deadly force by an officer to exclude less-lethal munitions weapons designed to stun, temporarily incapacitate or cause discomfort to a person without actually causing significant or permanent harm. The legislation would cover guns that shoot beanbag projectiles or fire an electric impulse.

Law enforcement agencies across Minnesota are beginning to use these less-lethal methods for disabling a suspect, Stanek said. "Any time you provide options to officer in the line of duty, you give him or her the discretion about how to best proceed in a dangerous situation."

Under current law, these less-lethal munitions could only be used in circumstances where deadly force with a firearm is warranted. Without this change, the intentional discharge of a firearm in the direction of another person, or at a vehicle in which another person is believed to be, would constitute deadly force.

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