TASER(R) International Announces TASER Devices Approved
for Field Trials in South Korea
Company Personnel Present TASER Technology in South Africa
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Nov 15, 2004 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- TASER
International, Inc. (TASR),
a market leader in advanced non-lethal devices announced today that TASER
technology was approved for trials by the South Korean National Police
Agency for field tests and a successful presentation on TASER technology
last week in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Korean National Police Agency has decided to evaluate the TASER X26
device for general duty officers following successful trials as a new
non-lethal device. The original trials were conducted by the police SWAT and
Counter-Terrorism Institute, but this is the first order from the Korean
National Police Agency for line level officers. The initial order of 100
TASER X26 devices ships this quarter through C & S Corporation, our South
Korean distributor located in Seoul, South Korea. Following a successful
trial period, the Korean National Police Agency plans to supply the TASER
X26 to 14 Providential Police Agencies in 2005.
At the South African TASER Conference held on November 9th, 2004 hosted by
the U.S. Commercial Service in Johannesburg, Steve Ward (Vice President and
Master Instructor) and Hans Marrero (Chief Instructor) were on hand to
discuss and demonstrate the use of TASER devices high-tech, non-lethal
equipment. Attendees of the conference ranged from various U.S. Embassy
personnel to the South African Police Services, South African National
Defence Force, South African Navy, South African Air Force and numerous
security providers.
"Our immediate aim is to see some of our first responders -- our police
using TASER technology on the front lines to save lives, in addition to our
correctional facilities using these in areas where firearms should be
restricted, where staff have often been taken hostage or shot with their own
firearms. We would also like to see our emergency services personnel
carrying TASER devices for self-defense, as they are not permitted to carry
firearms and they too work in a high-risk environment," said Bryan de Klerk,
Managing Director of 21st Century Arms c.c./Tactical Development Group --
the South African Distributor for TASER International, Inc. located in South
Africa.
"We continue to see acceptance in countries around the world when the
in-country law enforcement communities review the medical safety research
and benefits of our TASER technology," said Tom Smith, President and
co-founder of TASER International. "We expect to see continued interest and
trials begin and further orders come from South Korea and other countries as
our life saving technology continues to provide reductions to injuries of
both officers and suspects," continued Mr. Smith.
About the South Korea Police
The Korean National Police Agency system consists of, from the top: one
National Police Headquarters located in Seoul; 5 special task police
agencies; 13 provincial police headquarters; 220 police stations; and 3,389
police branch offices across the country. Unlike western nations, there are
no local municipal police systems or state police departments. There are
over 92,000 police officers in South Korean National Police Agency.
About the South African Police Service
Every homeland has its own policing agency, bringing the total number of
policing agencies in the country to 11 (ten homelands + the old South
African Police). The South African constitution in 1994 established a single
National Police Service for South Africa under the executive command and
control of a National Commissioner who is appointed by the President. There
are over 112,000 law enforcement officers in the South African Police
Service.
About TASER International, Inc.
TASER International, Inc. provides advanced non-lethal devices for use in
the law enforcement, military, private security and personal defense
markets. TASER devices use proprietary technology to safely incapacitate
dangerous, combative or high-risk subjects who pose a risk to law
enforcement officers, innocent citizens or themselves. TASER technology
saves lives every day, and the use of TASER devices dramatically reduces
injury rates for police officers and suspects. TASER technology is currently
in testing or deployment at over 6,000 law enforcement and correctional
agencies in the U.S. and abroad. For more information on TASER life-saving
technology, please call TASER International at (480) 444-4000 or visit our
website at www.TASER.com.
Note to Investors
This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning
of Section 27A of the Securities Act of the 1933 and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the safe harbor created
by those sections. 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. TASER International's future results may be
impacted by risks associated with rapid technological change, new product
introductions, new technological developments and implementations, execution
issues associated with new technology, ramping manufacturing production to
meet demand, litigation including lawsuits resulting from alleged product
related injuries, media publicity concerning allegations of deaths occurring
after use of the TASER device and the negative impact this could have on
sales, product quality, implementation of manufacturing automation,
potential fluctuations in quarterly operating results, competition,
financial and budgetary constraints of prospects and customers,
international order delays, dependence upon sole and limited source
suppliers, fluctuations in component pricing, government regulations,
variation among law enforcement agencies with their TASER product
experience, dependence upon key employees, and its ability to retain
employees. TASER International's future results may also be impacted by
other risk factors listed from time to time in its SEC filings, including,
but not limited to, the Company's Form 10-QSBs and its Annual Report on Form
10-KSB.
For further information contact Steve Tuttle, Director of Communications, at
Press@TASER.com. Visit the company's
web-site at www.TASER.com for facts and
video.
SOURCE TASER International, Inc.
Steve Tuttle, Director of Communications of TASER
International, Inc., Press@TASER.com,
or Media ONLY Hotline: +1-480-444-4000
http://www.taser.com
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