New consumer product combines fashion, personal safety with new CheckLok background check to provide accountability
SCOTTSDALE, AZ,—TASER International, Inc. (NASDAQ: TASR), a market leader in advanced electronic control devices today announced the first shipment of the TASER® C2, an affordable, futuristic palm-sized device designed for consumer self protection. The TASER C2 debuts as the first device to incorporate a revolutionary new public safety background check technology called CheckLok(tm).
The TASER C2 retails for a base price of $299.99. It is shipping now and will be available in the next few weeks at several retailers including Academy Sports + Outdoors (www.academy.com); Cabela’s Incorporated (NYSE: CAB) (www.cabelas.com); and Gander Mountain Company (NASDAQ: GMTN) (www.gandermountain.com).
“We designed the TASER C2 with the consumer in mind from the ground up by listening to our customers,” said Kathy Hanrahan, president and chief operating officer of TASER International. “Although we have sold over 136,000 TASER systems to consumers since 1994, our focus since 1998 has primarily been in the law enforcement arena. However, over the past year our engineers were able to make tremendous technological advances to reduce the size, modernize the look and provide our TASER cutting edge technology for consumer self defense at an affordable price.”
“With CheckLok, TASER C2 units are shipped in an inactive state. They cannot be used until the purchaser successfully completes a background check from the privacy of their own home or office using a secure web site or a toll-free number. After passing the background check, the purchaser is issued an activation code unique to their serial number. The TASER C2 will work only after entering the activation code,” Hanrahan continued.
“We salute the progressive retail leaders who have joined us in launching this product,” Hanrahan concluded.
The TASER C2 unit features the following capabilities:
•Up to a 15-foot range from the device conducting energy that temporarily incapacitates an attacker by overriding sensory and motor functions
•CheckLok public safety background check technology guaranteeing that the device cannot be used until the purchaser successfully completes a comprehensive background check
•A unique anti-felon identification (AFID) technology, which disperses 20-30 serialized pieces of confetti whenever a TASER Cartridge is deployed to help prevent and track potential misuse
•A light, sleek, hand-held design that can fit in a pocket or a purse
•Available in four designer colors: Black Pearl, Titanium Silver, Electric Blue, and Metallic Pink
•A safety cover and trigger design that users can easily operate with their thumb
In addition to the TASER C2 device, the package includes a disposable TASER cartridge, owner’s manual and training DVD video. To purchase a TASER C2, visit one of the leading retailers listed above, or to learn more visit www.iTASER.com.
About TASER International, Inc.
TASER International provides advanced electronic control devices for use in the law enforcement, military, private security and personal defense 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. TASER technology saves lives every day, and the use of TASER devices dramatically reduces injury rates for police officers and suspects. For more information on TASER life-saving technology, please call TASER International at (800) 978-2737 or visit our website at www.TASER.com.
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.