Personal Tasers Legal In Michigan?

KALAMAZOO (Newschannel 3) - Some Michigan lawmakers are pushing legislation to make it legal for more than just law enforcement officials to cary tasers.

In Michigan, officers are some of the only people who can legally use a taser.

But State Representative Arlan Meekhof doesn't think that having a taser should warrant any greater concern then if someone is carrying a concealed weapon.

"You'd buy it the same way as a pistol; once you complete training and get a permit," said Representative Meekhof.

But safety concerns, especially for senior citizens and women, have increased over the years. That's why on Western Michigan University's campus, many female students carry pepper spray or mace for their protection.

Western Student Lindsey Phelps says she keeps pepper spray on her when walking alone or at night on campus, but thinks that carrying a taser would help some feel safer.

"If someone comes off as threatening to me, I have something, kind of, to back me up," she said.

Eric Weeldreyer, who owns taser supplier On Target, says that if the phone calls are any indication, he'd sell 500 tasers in the first year.

Personal tasers for a pocket or purse sell for about $350 and are just becoming available.

Representative Meekhof says he'll draft the bill to make tasers legal in the next month.