Tag Taser

Originally posted: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/real_life_superhero_saves_driver_Rq7nRXmcVLDp8hfXkWUx0L
A self-styled superhero was protecting the streets of Seattle on Tuesday night — launched from his secret base at the back of a comic book store.
The masked man, who calls himself Phoenix Jones, came to light after he stopped thieves from stealing a man’s car in Lynnwood, a suburb of Seattle, on Sunday night, local media reported.
Jones, who wears a bulletproof and stab-proof black-and-gold bodysuit, rescued a driver who only wanted to be known as Dan.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
Dan went to call 911 when he saw thieves putting a metal strip down the window of his car — but before he had the chance to dial the number, Jones sprang into action.
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/real_life_superhero_saves_driver_Rq7nRXmcVLDp8hfXkWUx0L#ixzz1ADn3S7Xa
“From the right, this guy comes dashing in, wearing this skintight, rubber, black-and-gold suit, and starts chasing him away,” Dan told local TV news station KIRO.
Jones told KIRO that he began his crime-fighting crusade nine months ago from his secret base at the back of a local comic store.
“When I walk into a neighborhood, criminals leave because they see the suit,” said Jones. “I symbolize that the average person doesn’t have to walk around and see bad things and do nothing.”
Jones, who carries Mace and a Taser, said he was stabbed once and had a gun pulled on him several times during his regular patrols but so far sustained no serious injuries.
His story mirrors the plot of the 2010 film “Kick-Ass,” which follows a high school student who turns himself into a superhero even though he has no powers or training.

Originally posted: http://www.myfoxaustin.com/dpps/news/offbeat/real-life-superhero-phoenix-jones-fights-crime-on-seattle-streets-dpgonc-20110105-fc_11309322
Updated: Wednesday, 05 Jan 2011, 8:33 AM CST
Published : Wednesday, 05 Jan 2011, 8:33 AM CST
(NewsCore) – A self-styled superhero was protecting the streets of Seattle on Tuesday night — launched from his secret base at the back of a comic book store.
The masked man, who calls himself Phoenix Jones, came to light after he stopped thieves from stealing a man’s car in Lynnwood, a suburb of Seattle, on Sunday night, local media reported.
Jones, who wears a bulletproof and stab-proof black-and-gold bodysuit, rescued a driver who only wanted to be known as Dan.
Dan went to call 911 when he saw thieves putting a metal strip down the window of his car — but before he had the chance to dial the number, Jones sprang into action.
“From the right, this guy comes dashing in, wearing this skintight, rubber, black-and-gold suit, and starts chasing him away,” Dan told local TV news station KIRO.
Jones told KIRO that he began his crime-fighting crusade nine months ago from his secret base at the back of a local comic store.
“When I walk into a neighborhood, criminals leave because they see the suit,” said Jones. “I symbolize that the average person doesn’t have to walk around and see bad things and do nothing.”
Jones, who carries Mace and a Taser, said he was stabbed once and had a gun pulled on him several times during his regular patrols but so far sustained no serious injuries.
His story mirrors the plot of the 2010 film “Kick-Ass,” which follows a high school student who turns himself into a superhero even though he has no powers or training.
Source: KIRO-TV

Originally posted: http://www.kirotv.com/news/26363364/detail.html
Posted: 8:07 am PST January 4, 2011Updated: 12:08 pm PST January 4, 2011

Originally posted: http://www.defenseproducts101.com/statestatutesummary_page2.html
TASER® Guns are not considered firearms. They can be legally carried in most states. Below you’ll find a summery of the state laws concerning the possession and use of TASER® Guns.

DETAILED CITY, STATE AND COUNTRY RESTRICTIONS SUMMARY
STATES WHERE STUN GUNS ARE RESTRICTED: HAWAII
MASSACHUSETTS
MICHIGAN
NEW JERSEY
NEW YORK
RHODE ISLAND
WISCONSIN
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CITIES WHERE STUN GUNS ARE RESTRICTED:
ANNAPOLIS, MD
BALTIMORE, MD
BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD
CHICAGO, IL
DENSION / CRAWFORD COUNTY, IA (*According to Sheriff Tom Hogan*)
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
PHILADELPHIA
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COUNTRIES THAT STUN GUNS ARE RESTRICTED:
AUSTRALIA
BELGIUM
CANADA
DENMARK
HONG KONG
INDIA (POLICE USE ONLY)
ITALY
JAPAN
NEW ZEALAND
NORWAY
SWEDEN
SWITERLAND
UNITED KINGDOM
——————————————————————————–
PENAL CODES AFFECTING TASER® DEVICES, STUN GUNS & STUN BATONS.
STATE RESTRICTIONS:
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Illegal
District of Columbia Law. DC Code Ann. Title 6, Chapter 23. Firearms Control. Subchapter I. General Provisions 6-2302.
(7) “Destructive device” means:
(B) “Any device by whatever name known which will, or is designed, or may be readily converted or restored, to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellant through a smooth bore barrel, except a shotgun.”
(D) Any device designed or redesigned, made or remade, or readily converted or restored, and intended to stun or disable a person by means of electric shock.
Subchapter II. Firearms and Destructive Devices. General Provision 6-2311. Registration requirements:
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no person or organization in the District of Columbia (“District”) shall receive, possess, control, transfer, offer for sale, sell, give, or deliver any destructive device, and no person or organization in the District shall possess or control any firearm, unless that person or organization holds a valid registration certificate for the firearm.
Subchapter V. Sales and Transfer of Firearms, Destructive Devices, and Ammunition. General Provision 6-2351. Sales and transfers prohibited. No person or organization shall sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any firearm, destructive device or ammunition in the District except as provided in *** 6-2352, or 6-2375.
SUMMARY: Possession and sales of Stunning Devices are banned in Washington, DC.
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HAWAII: Illegal
Hawaii State Law. Rev. Stats. Title 10, Chapter 134. Firearms, Ammunition and Dangerous Weapons. Part 1. General Regulations. Chapter 134-1 Definitions.
“Electric gun” means any porTABLE device that is electrically operated to project a missile or electromotive force.
Chapter 134-16 Restriction on possession, sale, gift or delivery of electric guns.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person, including a licensed manufacturer, licensed importer or licensed dealer, to possess, offer for sale, hold for sale, sell, give, lend or deliver any electric gun.
(b) Any electric gun in violation of subsection (a) shall be confiscated and disposed of by the chief of police.
SUMMARY: Possession and sales of Stunning Devices are banned in Hawaii.
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MASSACHUSETTS: Illegal
Massachusetts State Law. Ann. Laws of Massachusetts. Chapter 140. Sale of Firearms. Section 131J: Sale or possession of electrical weapons; penalties. Section 131J. No person shall sell, offer for sale or possess a porTABLE device or weapon from which an electric current, impulse, wave or beam may be directed, which current, impulse, wave or beam is designed to incapacitate temporarily, injure or kill. Whoever violates this provision of this section shall be punished by a fine of not less than five hundred nor more than one thousand dollars or by imprisonment for not less than six months nor more than two years in a jail or house of correction, or both.
SUMMARY: Possession and sales of Stunning Devices are banned in Massachusetts.
——————————————————————————–
MICHIGAN: Illegal
The Michigan Penal Code Act 328 of 1931. Chapter 750.224a PorTABLE device or weapon directing electrical current, impulse, wave, or beam; sale or possession prohibited; testing.
(1) A person shall not sell, offer for sale, or possess in this state a porTABLE device or weapon from which an electric current, impulse, wave or beam is designed to incapacitate temporarily, injure, or kill.
(3) A person who violates this section is guilty of a felony.
SUMMARY: Possession and sales of Stunning Devices are banned in Michigan.
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NEW JERSEY: Illegal
New Jersey State Law. New Jersey Stat. Ann. Title 2C. New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice. Chapter 39-1. Prohibited weapons and devices.
(Section “r” summarized from Chapter 2C:39-1) “Weapon” means anything readily capable of lethal use or of inflicting serious bodily injury. The term includes, but is not limited to all (4) stun guns; and any weapon or (this section refers to tear gas and has been updated in 1995) other device which projects, releases, or emits tear gas or any other substance intended to produce temporary physical discomfort or permanent injury through being vaporized or otherwise dispensed in the air.
(t) “Stun gun” means any weapon or other device which emits an electrical charge or current intended to temporarily or permanently disable a person.
Senate, No. 2871 — L.1985, c. 360
Senate Bill No. 2781, as amended by the Senate Law, Public Safety and Defense Committee, prohibits as a crime of the fourth degree the possession of a stun gun by any person, including a law enforcement officer. A crime of the fourth degree carries a penalty of imprisonment for up to 18 months, a fine of up to $7,500, or both. Prior to being amended the bill classified possession of a crime in the third degree. {Editor’s Note: According to Len Lawson of NJ Legislative Council, (609) 292-4625) NJ does not classify crimes in felonies versus misdemeanors. The highest crimes are in first degree on down to fourth degree. A fourth degree penalty is a serious charge and is generally considered a misdemeanor in common terms. It is however an indicTABLE offense. A fourth degree crime does contain “a presumption of non-custodial sentencing,” meaning that there is not imprisonment if there are no prior convictions. In some cases the sentencing is obviated from one’s record if there is a period of good behavior following the charge.}
The committee amended the bill to include a provision authorizing the Attorney General, at his discretion, to exempt law enforcement officers from the prohibition against possession stun guns.
The bill also was amended by the committee to include stun guns in the definition of “weapon” in paragraph r. N.J.S. 2C:39-1.
(Chapter 2C:39-1)
(h) Stun guns. Any person who knowingly has in his possession any stun gun is guilty of a crime in the fourth degree.
SUMMARY: Possession is banned of Stunning Devices in New Jersey.
——————————————————————————–
NEW YORK: Illegal
New York Consolidated Law (McKinney’s) Book 39. Penal Law.
Article 265. Firearms and Other Dangerous Weapons 265.00
15-a. “Electronic dart gun” means any device designed primarily as a weapon, the purpose of which is to momentarily stun, knock out or paralyze a person by passing an electrical shock to such person by means of a dart or projectile.
15-c. “Electronic stun gun” means any device designed primarily as a weapon, the purpose of which is to momentarily stun, cause mental disorientation, knock out or paralyze a person by passing a high voltage electrical shock to such person.
Article 265.01 Criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. A person is guilty of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree when: (1) He possesses any firearm, electronic dart gun, electronic stun gun ***; or ***
SUMMARY: Possession is banned of Stunning Devices in New York.
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RHODE ISLAND: Illegal
General Laws of Rhode Island. Title 11, Chapter 47. Statute Subsection 11-47-42. Weapons other than firearms prohibited. – (A) No person shall carry or possess or attempt to use against another, any instrument or weapon of the kind commonly known as a *** stun gun ***. Any person violating the provisions of this subsection, shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or both such fine and imprisonment, and the weapon so found shall be confiscated.
SUMMARY: Possession and use of Stunning Devices are banned.
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WISCONSIN: Illegal
Wisconsin Sta. Ann. Chapter 939. Crimes – General Provisions. Chapter 939.22 Words and phrases defined. (10) Dangerous weapon” means any firearm, whether loaded or unloaded ***; any device designed as a weapon and capable of producing great harm ***; any electric weapon, as defined in s. 941.295(4); or any other device or instrumentality which, in the manner it is used or intended to be used, is calculated or likely to produce death or great bodily harm.
Chapter 941.295 Possession of electric weapon. Subsection (1) On or after July 1, 1982, whoever sells, transports, manufactures, possesses or goes armed with any electric weapon is guilty of a Class E felony. Subsection (4) In this section, “electric weapon” means any device which is designed, redesigned, used or intended to be used, offensively or defensively, to immobilize or incapacitate persons by the use electric current.
SUMMARY: Possession and sales of Stunning Devices are banned.
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CITY/COUNTY RESTRICTIONS:
CHICAGO: Illegal
Publisher’s Note: The following jurisdictions require waiting periods or notifications to law enforcement officials before weapons may be delivered to purchasers:
Chicago – application approval/denial for:
(1) Registration : 120 days
(2) Re-registration: e.g., by an heir, 365 days)
SUMMARY: Possession and sales of Stunning Devices are banned in Chicago. (More information required on City of Chicago Ordinance)
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ANNAPOLIS: Illegal
——————————————————————————–
BALTIMORE: Illegal (Including Baltimore County)
Baltimore City Code 115. Stun guns and similar devices. (e) It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to sell, give away, lend, rent or transfer to any individual, firm or corporation a stun gun or other electronic device by whatever name or description which discharges a non-projectile electric current within the limits of the City of Baltimore. It further shall be unlawful for any person to possess, fire or discharge any such stun gun or electronic device within the City. Nothing in this subsection shall be held to apply to any member of the Baltimore City Police Department or any other law enforcement officer while in the performance of his or her official duty (Ord. 385. 1985).
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HOWARD COUNTY, MD: Illegal
Sec. 8.404. Sale or possession of electronic weapons prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to sell, give away, lend, rent or transfer to any individual, firm or corporation an electronic weapon within the limits of Howard County. It further shall be unlawful for any person to possess, fire, discharge or activate any electronic weapon within the limits of Howard County. (C.B. 38 1985).
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PHILADELPHIA: Illegal
Philadelphia City Ordinance. Statute 10-825 Stun Guns. (1) Definitions. (a) Stun Gun. Any device which expels or projects a projectile which, upon coming in contact with a person, is capable of inflicting injury or an electric shock to such person. (2) Prohibited conduct. Nor person shall own, use, possess, sell or otherwise transfer any “stun gun.” (3) Penalty. Any person violating any provision of this section shall be subject to a fine or not more than three hundred (300) dollars and /or imprisonment for not more than ninety (90 days.)
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NEW YORK CITY: Illegal
Administrative Code of the City of New York 10-135 Prohibition on sale and possession of electronic stun guns.
a. As used in this section, “electronic stun gun” shall mean any device designed primarily as a weapon, the purpose of which is to stun, render unconscious or paralyze a person by passing an electronic shock to such person, but shall not include an “electronic dart gun” as such term is defined in section 265.00 of the penal law.
b. It shall be unlawful for any person to sell or offer for sale or to have in his or her possession within the jurisdiction of the city any electronic gun.
c. Violation of this section shall be a class A misdemeanor. [Exemptions under this section are provided for police officers operating under regular department procedures or guidelines and for manufacturers of electronic stun guns scheduled for bulk shipment. NOTE: The electronic stun gun is not a “firearm” under the Federal Gun Control Act of 1968 because it does not “…expel a projectile by the action of an explosive…”]
SUMMARY: Possession and sales of Stunning Devices are banned in New York City

Originally posted: http://blog.moviefone.com/2010/11/19/real-life-superheroes/

A group of caped crusaders with names like Thorn, Green Reaper, Penelope, and Phoenix Jones have sprung up in Seattle. These masked vigilantes say they’re part of the Rain City Superhero Movement — self-described superheroes who patrol the streets at night and fight crime. They’re part of a larger movement of crime fighters who host this website for the Real Life Superhero community — giving tips to Regular Joes and Janes who want to take to the streets and perform “good deeds for the communitarian place whom he inhabits.” Someone’s been watching too much ‘Kick-Ass.’
Seattle police are getting a bit antsy about people putting themselves in unnecessary danger. A group of superheroes outside a gas station in ski masks didn’t bode well with authorities, and one dressed in all black was almost shot running out of a dark park. Phoenix claims he was stabbed “while trying to intervene with a drug dealer and a citizen.” Why do they risk it? “Because someone’s gotta do something,” the author of RLSH says.
These heroes don’t carry automatic weapons — opting for Tasers, nightsticks, and pepper spray instead — and Phoenix doesn’t think just anyone with a mask should be wandering the streets. “Everyone on my team either has a military background or a mixed martial arts background, and we’re well aware of what its costs to do what we do.” His costume includes a black cape, black fedora, blue tights, white belt and mask. His sidekick? A woman not in costume who usually drives him around to do his thing. So far, no confirmation if this is actually his mom.
A department spokesperson, Jeff Kappel, doesn’t seem to be having the same reaction to the group that former NYC mayor Ed Koch had to the Guardian Angels in the late ’70s. “There’s nothing wrong with citizens getting involved with the criminal justice process — as long as they follow it all the way through.” Kappel still recommends calling good old 911.
[via seattlepi.com]

• By Spencer Ackerman
• July 16, 2010  |
• 2:07 pm  |
• Categories: Bizarro

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VHeKCOcx4Q
Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. asked a simple question in their 2008 comic book (and 2010 movie) Kick-Ass: Why don’t fanboys actually suit up and try their hand at being superheroes? As it turns out, a bunch of fanboys are in fact suiting up. Hundreds of them. Face front, true believer.
Cosplay is nothing new. Its variant, Real Life Superheroes, are somewhat next-level. Check out TheRLSH.net, a message board where aspiring supes — costumed adventurers who describe themselves as doing “humanitarian work” or otherwise generically helping those in distress — can discuss tradecraft, assemble into makeshift Avengers and escalate misunderstandings into internet brawls ahead of the inevitable team-up.
Seriously. On this thread, for instance, a crimefighter called the Dark Ghostrallied his fellow champions of the innocent to find a seven-month old baby kidnapped in Tennessee. Amazonia, the Minuteman, Gadgetastic and the Sparrow pledged support. (As it turned out, the vigilante community didn’t need to get involved, as law enforcement found young Drake Boyd’s abductor in Florida.)
Now, obviously these dudes don’t have superpowers. But come on — neither does Batman. So like Batman, what they lack in meta-human ability, they make up for in weaponry.
Take, for instance, a Brooklyn team called the New York Initiative, profiled this week in New York Press. The four members of the Initiative –a reference to Tony Stark’s post-Civil War, pre-Secret Invasion efforts to put a superhero squad in each of the 50 states? — act like bodybuilders with a purpose. And then they pack (non-lethal) heat.
Initiative member Z brandishes “giant ax handles bound with duck tape” and a cane that doubles as a club. He’s also got — in reserve — a legally dubious arsenal that includes ninja throwing stars and what author Tea Krulos describes as “stun knuckles (that make a loud zapping sound), throwing knives and spiky hand guards that look like something Genghis Khan would brawl in.” A battle ax appears to be merely for display.
The team’s gadget whiz, who goes by the unfortunate name Victim, is testing out some polycarbonate squares for durability against knives. Because being a hero means you’re going to get stabbed.
Factoring out the body armor, it appears to be a fairly cost-effective approach to adventuring. Take Z’s stun knuckles. Zapping someone with 950,000 volts in the course of a single punch should run you around $50.
Plus, that is, whatever legal costs you incur after your supervillain sues you. Chances are your local municipality doesn’t look kindly on vigilantism, andless so on vigilantism armed with zappers. What’s more, courts haven’t been so keen on police use of non-lethal weapons like Tasers, and you’re sure not an officer of the law.
Speaking of the cops: According to Krulos’s piece, when the New York Initiative asks the police if they can set up a patrol by downtown Brooklyn’s Fulton Mall, a member of New York’s finest tells them, “Naw, fuhgetabout that. You’ll get shot. The guys in this neighborhood, they’ll shoot you and no one will tell us who did it. There’s a strong ‘no snitching’ rule out here.” We know that in the comics as honor among thieves.
So, be careful out there, champions of right: Come strapped and stay on the right side of the law.
See Also:

• Court to Cops: Stop Tasing People into Compliance
• Taser to Cops: Never Mind the Courts, Keep on Zappin’
• Da Vinci Code Scribe Takes on Tasers, Gets Zapped
• High on the List of People Never to Taser: Grandma

via wired.com

Meet Geist, bond fide costumed crime-fighter
Originally published in March 2010 edition of Empire Magazine

By Own Williams
“Being a Superhero is a crazy, unorthodox idea, but it’s a fun way to something good,” says Geist, one of several hundred costumed vigilantes currently active in the USA. On his nightly patrols he’s defused domestic violence, broken up bar brawlers and reclaimed gang territory, not to mention uncovering a fake cop given to pulling over teenage girls an asking them to do “creepy things” and helping out during the 2007 Minnesota floods.
Reactions to his arrival are mixed. The first state trooper he encountered at the floods “put his hand on his Taser and locked me up and down” before sending him in the right direction. But he says his local cops are content that he’s fighting for good- “Although they’d prefer I stick to charity work.”
He describes his look as that of an “urban detective cowboy”, while the name translates simply as “ghost” or “spirit”. Geist is “someone who appears out of nowhere, does what’s necessary” than vanishes.
“I try not to hang around,” he says. “I become a lot less interesting when I do.”

CINCINNATI — Cincinnati’s newest superhero has become an Internet sensation.

Examiner 01 PDF
Examiner 02 PDF
April 04, 2008
By Dan Rafter
Holy Batman! People are taking a page from the Caped Crusader’s comic book and turning themselves into superheroes- even though they don’t have any special powers!
Donning eye-catching costumes, real-life superheroes with names like Squeegeeman, Dark Guardian and Entomo the Insect Man have begun appearing across the United States and around the globe- in a movement to make the world a better place. But these crusaders for justice- estimated at 225 around the world, include about 175 in the United States- are often less concerned with bashing heads than feeding the homeless, saving the environment or just doing good.
Squeegeeman has vowed to clean up New York City, one windshied or city block at a time. New Yorkers who don’t get mugged while walking n a clean street should probably praise the caped cleaner.
Martial arts expert Geist of Rochester, Minn., confronts evildoers with a wide-brimmed hat, reflective sunglasses, a scarf-like mask and a array of non-lethal weapons, including smoke grenades and a 6-inch fighting stick.
Citizen Prime of Phoenix spent $4,000 on a custom-made costume- including a steel helmet and breast-plate and yellow cape. And when his foot patrols don’t find enough crime, he volunteers for crime-prevention causes and children’s charities.
A secretive martial arts instructor patrols New York City’s Staten Island as Dark Guardian, while wearing spandex fit for a professional wrestler. The 23-year-old hero recently held a convenience store robber at bay until the cops arrived.
Hardwire, 20 of Greensboro-Durham, N.C., describes himself as a “tech hero, like Batman with the attitude,” while Entomo the Insect Man give Spider-Man a run for his bugged-out reputation in Naples, Italy, declaring: “I inject justice.”
In Portland, Ore., the needy can count on Zetaman to make regular rounds distributing free food and clothing. To protect himself and those he serves, Zetaman carries pepper spray, an extendable steel baton and a Taser packing 30,000 volts.

Citizen Prime (formerly known as Paragon Prime) is a real-life crime fighter. His identity is guarded but not secret. He first appeared in Phoenix, Arizona in early 2006. Citizen Prime, or Prime, claims no superhuman powers. Prime’s experience and training make him an excellent tactician and creative problem solver. He is practiced in Ninjitsu, Tiajutsu, street fighting and Okinawan Karate. He is well versed in various armor technologies and nonlethal weapons. Prime has an excellent understanding of business, finance and technology.
Prime is a founding member of the non-profit Worldwide Heroes Organization and serves as the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, among other duties.
Prime’s armor (to be completed in January, 2007) provides Level 2 and Level 3 ballistic, stab and blunt trauma protection to 70% of his body while providing complete flexibility. His armor can contain various non-lethal weapons including 130 db alarms, Pepper Spray, various stun technology devices (including Taser, hand held and pen stun devices built into the armor), the ARMA 100 device, etc.. HIs armor and equipment is in a constant state of refinement. His helmet and armor contain communication devices and recording devices, including voice amplification.
Future planned developments: Night vision, fire proofing and electrifying the outer structure of the armor.
Prime typically patrols in an unmarked car, in disguise, or on foot. His investigations center around local issues such as lost children, local drive by shootings and the like.
As of this writing, his real life investigations and encounters remain sealed for confidentiality.
Prime also hosts a podcast on Prime.Vox.com narrating the journey to become a superhero.