Good afternoon. My name is Eddie Meyer, and I am a senior policy advocate with the ACLU of San Diego & Imperial Counties.
We strongly support the Board Letter in support of California Assembly Bill 2760.
This bill would temporarily prohibit state and local law enforcement agencies from purchasing, possessing or using taser gloves and substantially similar “wearable electroshock devices” while requiring a study of their safety and community impacts.
The possibility that this technology could become another tool used during immigration enforcement only heightens the need for California to act before its use becomes normalized.
Let us be clear: there are no circumstances that justify giving law enforcement a device that allows an officer to inflict severe pain through a simple touch.
Unlike other conducted-energy weapons, these devices can be concealed within a glove and activated during close physical contact. That means their use may be difficult for witnesses to see, document and independently evaluate after an encounter. This lack of visibility raises serious concerns about use of force, public health, transparency and accountability.
These concerns are particularly important in San Diego County, where our communities already experience significant federal immigration enforcement presence.
Our communities should not become testing grounds for a new weapon whose risks remain deeply concerning.
AB 2760 takes a proactive approach by allowing California to establish clear limits while studying the safety and community impacts of these devices and reinforcing our commitment to dignity, de-escalation, transparency and accountability.
We respectfully urge the board to vote YES on Item 20 and support AB 2760 throughout the legislative process. Thank you.