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Highway Patrol Interested in Buying Tasers

By Beacon Staff

BUTTE – The head of the Montana Highway Patrol says his agency is looking for a way to outfit troopers with stun guns.

Col. Mike Tooley says the patrol is seeking about $300,000 in grant money because there isn’t money in the patrol’s budget for such a purchase.

Most troopers are armed with a handgun, collapsible baton and mace or pepper spray.

Tooley believes Tasers would make things safer for troopers and the public because troopers can be alone in remote areas when they encounter a problem. It’s difficult to use mace, because water may not be readily available to decontaminate a person.