LETTER: Tasers could deter people from committing crimes

COLUMBIA — Two interesting propositions were posed by Jeff Stack in his Oct. 19 Letter to the Editor. First he stated that police officers primarily deal with marginalized citizens (jobless, mentally ill, poor) who, by his inference, deserve special treatment when breaking the law, and second, that the use of Tasers could possibly prompt violence from angry citizens.

I'm not sure these points are valid. Criminals come from all walks of life, and some act that way by choice. And really, would Tasers on the belts of police officers really prompt riots? In Columbia, Missouri, of all places?

I want law enforcement officers to have every tool available to them so they can do their jobs effectively. If Tasers are really as lethal and deadly as they are being labeled, then perhaps "the word" will get out on the streets and the thugs who commit crimes will think twice before breaking the law or disobeying the commands of law enforcement officers.

Protect us from thugs. Vote no on Proposition 2.

Mike Miller lives in Columbia.