SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., April 3, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- TASER International, Inc. (Nasdaq:TASR), a market leader in advanced electronic control devices, today announced that The Sports Authority will carry TASER(r) C2 Personal Protector devices in selected stores nationwide. The TASER C2 will be available initially in 138 of the 433 Sports Authority stores this month. The first TASER(r) C2 Personal Protectors will debut at the grand opening of the new concept store for The Sports Authority in Lenexa, KS beginning on Friday, April 4 through Sunday, April 6, 2008.
"TASER International is proud to partner with The Sports Authority on the retailing of our TASER C2 Personal Protector," said Tom Smith, Chairman and founder of TASER International. "As our largest consumer retailer to date, The Sports Authority will provide greater availability of our TASER technology for consumers who are looking to protect their families or themselves."
"The TASER C2 was designed from the ground up with the consumer in mind," said Smith. "We have sold more than 160,000 TASER systems to consumers since 1994, and with the TASER C2, we have made tremendous technological advances to reduce the size, modernize the look and responsibly provide our cutting edge TASER technology for consumer personal safety at an affordable price."
"We will have TASER International representatives and our 40-foot TASER Mobile Showroom on hand as part of the grand opening events in Lenexa to support our new relationship with The Sports Authority," concluded Smith.
The TASER C2 Personal Protector is an affordable, futuristic palm-sized self-protection device. The units incorporate a revolutionary new public safety background check technology called CheckLok(tm) that adds to the accountability of the end user. With CheckLok, TASER C2 units are shipped in an inactive state. The devices cannot be used until end users successfully complete a background check from the privacy of their own homes or offices using a secure web site or a toll-free number. After passing the background check, the user is issued a unique activation code and the device is registered with the company to that individual.
In addition to the TASER C2 device, the package includes a disposable TASER cartridge, owner's manual, and training DVD video. To learn more about the TASER C2 Personal Protector, visit www.TASER.com.
To view The Sports Authority's initial 138 selected stores, visit: http://www2.taser.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/Company/Sports%20Authority%20TASER%20C2%20Stores.pdf
About Sports Authority
Headquartered in Englewood, CO., Sports Authority is the nation's largest full-line sporting goods retailer, offering a comprehensive and high-quality assortment of brand name sporting apparel and equipment at competitive prices.
Sports Authority is staffed with experts in all areas of sports and fitness related topics, and strives to be the ultimate "authority," both on and off the field. Whether in the game or cheering from the sidelines, Sports Authority is the leading destination for consumers to fulfill their own sports equipment needs, as well as find their favorite team's apparel.
Sports Authority operates 433 stores in 45 states, and employs more than 16,000 people nationwide. It also operates stores in Japan under a licensing agreement with AEON Co., Ltd. The company's e-commerce website is located at www.sportsauthority.com.
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.