California lawmakers pass ban on ICE agents using shock gloves

The California Legislature passed a bill on Monday night banning law enforcement officers from using electric shock gloves as part of an effort to block federal immigration agents from using the devices. 

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency planned to spend $20 million to purchase the "conducive distraction and de-escalation devices." The devices are manufactured by Compliant Technologies LLC of Lexington, Kentucky. The company calls them G.L.O.V.E., which stands for Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter. Some jails and law enforcement agencies are already using the devices. 

The company said the devices function as normal gloves until activated, which enables them to deliver a painful electric shock. They must be applied directly to someone's skin, which helps the officer gain compliance within seconds, according to the manufacturer. 

Law enforcement groups in California, where several local agencies have been testing the devices to possibly deploy them, were the loudest opponents of the bill, the New York Times reported. 

LaShae Sharp-Collins, a Democratic assemblywoman from San Diego who introduced the bill, called the gloves "unproven" and a "new dangerous tool." She said she is concerned the gloves would be used by our least trained and most lawless law enforcement,” referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The bill now heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk. Newsom, a Democrat, hasn't said yet if he will sign it.