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Taser International

Maker of stun guns for police and consumers.

Headquarters:
17800 N. 85th St.
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Employees: 320
CEO: Rick Smith
Stock Symbol: TASR

TASER is a manufacturer of advanced Electronic Control Devices -- or better known as stunguns -- for use in the law enforcement, medical, military, corrections, professional security, and personal protection market. The devices are sold to reduce injury rates for police officers and suspects.

The TASER guns emit charges of electricity that neutralizes a person's muscular ability. There have been debates over the safety of the devices with over 200 reported deaths occurring after people were shocked with TASER devices.

The weapons are used by police forces worldwide.

The TASER X26 gun uses a replaceable cartridge containing compressed nitrogen to deploy two small probes that are attached to the TASER X26 by insulated conductive wires with a maximum length of 35 feet (10.6 meters). The TASER X26 transmits electrical pulses along the wires and into the body affecting the sensory and motor functions of the peripheral nervous system. The energy can penetrate up to two cumulative inches of clothing, or one inch per probe.

A smaller TASER C2 can be purchased by consumers for self protection. Prices start at $379.

According to the company, more than 16,000 public safety agencies in 40 countries rely on TASER electronic control devices (ECDs) and AXON on-officer camera systems to help protect and serve. Since 1994, more than 230,000 individuals have relied on TASER technology as a means for effective personal safety.

TASER products are not legal for consumer use in certain states.

TASER International's 100,000 sq-ft corporate headquarters and manufacturing facility is located in Scottsdale, AZ.

The company reported revenues of $86.9 million in 2010 and a net loss of $4.3 million.

In late 2010, the company received an order to ship 1000 TASER X3 ECDs and related accessories from the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS). This order represents the largest single purchase of TASER X3 ECDs and is considered full deployment by the Arizona DPS.

Taser has been criticized over the safety of its product and has been dealing with dozens of lawsuits over wrongful deaths.

History

The name Taser is an acronym for "Thomas A. Swift's Electric Rifle". Arizona inventor Jack Cover designed it in 1969; naming it for the science fiction teenage inventor and adventurer character Tom Swift.

In 1993 in Scottsdale, AZ, TASER International's founders, brothers Rick and Tom Smith, began a quest to reduce violence by developing a more effective and safer use of force option for citizens and law enforcement.

Along with the original TASER inventor, Jack Cover, the Smith brothers began work in 1993 to develop the first non-firearm TASER electronic control device for personal protection for citizens, which led to the incorporation of AIR TASER, Inc. in September 1993.

During 1998, AIR TASER, Inc. changed its name to TASER International, Inc. to reflect the company's international expansion and the introduction of the AIR TASER to the law enforcement community in 1998.

In 1999, a more effective TASER brand device was developed in an improved, ergonomically handgun shaped device called the ADVANCED TASER M-series systems. This new technology used patented neuromuscular incapacitation (NMI) technology which affected both the sensory and motor nervous systems to cause incapacitation.

In May 2003, TASER International introduced the new TASER X26 with Shaped Pulse Technology. The TASER X26 has dynamically influenced significant changes in over 11,000 law enforcement agencies worldwide. It has become a vital tool for patrol-level deployment around the world. Now, TASER technology is dramatically reducing injuries to officers and suspects, protecting life.

The company went public in an IPO in May 2001.

Updated May 4, 2011