SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb. 21, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- TASER International, Inc. (Nasdaq:TASR), the market leader in advanced electronic control devices (ECDs), today announced that the TASER(r) X26 ECD was tested and recommended by the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA). The TASER X26 received an overall score of 4.68 out of a potential 5.0 points in the NTOA "Member Tested and Recommended Products Program."
The NTOA program is designed to provide law enforcement product manufacturers with a process by which their products can be field tested by the law enforcement community. Scoring is based upon a five point criteria, for which a score of five is the highest possible score. During the test, the following areas were tested and evaluated by law enforcement agencies: design; performance; ease of use; quality; durability; storage; versatility; convenience; application; comfort; accuracy; and cleaning & maintenance.
According to the NTOA, the TASER X26 review will be published in the Tactical Edge journal, the Member Tested Product Review Guide, and the NTOA website.
"We are pleased to receive such high scores from active duty law enforcement experts participating in the NTOA Member Tested and Recommended Products Program," commented Tom Smith, Chairman and Founder of TASER International. "These results speak volumes about the TASER(r) technology and our electronic control devices designed to protect law enforcement officers when they need it," concluded Smith.
The following are actual quotes by active duty participants in the TASER X26 test and evaluation:
1. "The X26 I tested was deployed for testing purposes and it was
very effective. I would highly recommend the TASER X26 as a Less
Lethal option."
2. "Previously having been trained and certified with the X26 by my
Tactical Unit, I could already verify that this was one of the
most effective less lethal devices available to Law Enforcement.
Having personally experienced the effects of the X26's
five-second, 50,000 volt shock during this training, I can verify
that this weapon would completely incapacitate your threat."
3. "The most obvious feature or benefit of the X26, or any less
lethal device, is the Officer's ability to be armed with alternate
control options other than lethal force. I cannot begin to explain
the comfort that this can bring to an Officer, who in today's day
and age is faced with the challenges of lawsuits and undue
scrutiny for his or her decisions and actions. The political and
operational benefits of this device make it a must for any
department."
4. "Overall, I found the TASER X26 to be effective, safe, and easy
to use. I strongly believe that the TASER X26 is one of the best
tools a Law Enforcement Officer can have in this day and age of
increasing violence and small town politics. This valuable piece
of equipment has proven to reduce officer and offender injuries
and deaths, as well as reduce the number of lawsuits brought
against departments as a result of a threatening encounter. I
would highly recommend this product to any of my peers or
surrounding departments."
About The NTOA
The NTOA was established by and for law enforcement professionals responsible for the response and resolution of critical incidents. Today, the NTOA is the leading non-profit association dedicated to the advancement of the SWAT profession throughout the world. By providing highly realistic training, and disseminating important information to qualified law enforcement agencies and individuals, the NTOA is ushering in the next evolution of SWAT. For more information visit: http://www.ntoa.org.
About TASER International, Inc.
TASER International's products protect life. TASER provides advanced Electronic Control Devices (ECDs) for use in the law enforcement, medical, military, corrections, professional security, and personal protection markets. TASER devices use proprietary technology to incapacitate dangerous, combative, or high-risk subjects who pose a risk to law enforcement officers, innocent citizens, or themselves in a manner that is generally recognized as a safer alternative to other uses of force. For more information, please call TASER International at (800) 978-2737 or visit our website at www.TASER.com.
The TASER International logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2931
Note to Investors
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including statements, without limitation, regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. We intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking information is based upon current information and expectations regarding TASER International. These estimates and statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, are not guarantees of future performance, and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results could materially differ from what is expressed, implied, or forecasted in such forward-looking statements.
TASER International assumes no obligation to update the information contained in this press release. These statements are qualified by important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those reflected by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include but are not limited to: (1) market acceptance of our products; (2) our ability to establish and expand direct and indirect distribution channels; (3) our ability to attract and retain the endorsement of key opinion-leaders in the law enforcement community; (4) the level of product technology and price competition for our products; (5) the degree and rate of growth of the markets in which we compete and the accompanying demand for our products; (6) risks associated with rapid technological change and new product introductions; (7) competition; (8) litigation including lawsuits resulting from alleged product related injuries and death; (9) media publicity concerning allegations of deaths and injuries occurring after use of the TASER device and the negative effect this publicity could have on our sales; (10) TASER device tests and reports; (11) product quality; (12) implementation of manufacturing automation; (13) potential fluctuations in our quarterly operating results; (14) financial and budgetary constraints of prospects and customers; (15) order delays; (16) dependence upon sole and limited source suppliers; (17) negative reports concerning the TASER device; (18) fluctuations in component pricing; (19) government regulations and inquiries; (20) dependence upon key employees and our ability to retain employees; (21) execution and implementation risks of new technology; (22) ramping manufacturing production to meet demand; (23) medical and safety studies; (24) field test results; and (25) other factors detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, those factors detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Form 10-Qs.
The statements made herein are independent statements of TASER International. The inclusion of any third parties does not represent an endorsement of any TASER International products or services by any such third parties.