IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Deputies patrolling the Johnson County Courthouse will soon have Taser guns as another layer of defense and security at the century-old facility, Johnson County Sheriff Lonny Pulkrabek said on Monday.

With federal block-grant funds, Pulkrabek purchased 26 stun guns a month ago. Deputy Sheriffs Dave Stanton and Sue Koshatka will be outfitted with Tasers as soon as training is complete, which Pulkrabek hopes would be by March 1.

"I think another less-than-lethal tool is something that is a benefit to have," Pulkrabek said about the Tasers, which cost roughly $28,000.

Tasers propel two probes at speeds of more than 160 feet per second, and an electrical signal is transmitted through insulated wire that connect the probes to the device. When the weapon makes contact with a person, there is an immediate loss of neuromuscular control and the ability to perform coordinated actions, according to the manufacturer of the gun.

The remaining stun-guns will be distributed to other officers in the sheriff's office. University of Iowa Public Safety officers have carried the devices since 2002, said Lawrence Langley, the department's associate director. Iowa city police Sgt. Doug Hart could not be reached Monday regarding his department's use of the weapons.

Though Pulkrabek said he did not consult courthouse employees about the Taser purchase, one worker said she welcomed the security measure.

"I would be more comfortable with them carrying those around and actually being able to use those to subdue somebody," said Lodema Berkley, the Johnson County clerk of court. "I still want them to have conventional guns, but if they had an actual gun, there could be more damage done."

But Tasers have sparked controversy in recent years. Amnesty International -- which has raised concern about the stun guns -- has tallied 114 Taser-related deaths since 2001, according to a July 2005 report on its website. In 15 of the cases, Taser use was cited as a contributing factor.

The weapon's use in the state has not been a key issue for the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, said Ben Stone, the organization's executive director. But use of the stun guns should be paired with careful monitoring and strict accountability, he said.

"If law enforcement misuses them, there should be consequences for that officer, up to and including dismissal from the force," Stone said.