SEASIDE, Calif. -- Seaside police officials met with members of the NAACP and the community Thursday night to answer questions about the use of Taser guns.

Many civil liberties groups have criticized the use of Tasers guns, saying they've killed more than 100 people in police custody.

Monterey County's NAACP chapter called for the special meeting after two high-profile deaths involving Taser guns in Monterey County. Michael Rosa died after Seaside police used a Taser gun on him last August. Robert Heston died after being stunned six times by Salinas police in February.

Members of both men's families attended Thursday night's meeting and questioned police policy and protocol.

Seaside police Chief Tony Sollecito defended the use of Taser guns.

"Tasers have saved lives. There are documented cases where Tasers have saved lives here in Seaside, where I know if we didn't have a Taser, we would have had to result to lethal force," Sollecito said.

Many in the crowd still questioned the use of the weapons.

"I think he danced around the real issues. I think it's a very serious problem and I really don't think it should be used -- and I'm very concerned," concerned citizen Princess Pope said.

A larger meeting on the issue of Taser guns is scheduled for April 21 at the Monterey College of Law.