TASER International Inc. (NASDAQ: TASR) is no stranger to controversies. These days, police say it is concerned with Taser's latest consumer weapon, a $299 metallic pink, palm-sized C2 stun gun (no worries, it does come in three other cool colors including Black Pearl as well).
To recap, last time I wrote about Taser was in late February, when Taser reported fourth-quarter earnings that showed strong sales that boosted profits. Shares went up 5.5% consequently. Then Taser announced preliminary first quarter results that fell below analysts' expectations due to delayed orders. While investors punished the stock, taking it down 5%, some analysts remained positive on the company's base sales.
As for the C2, police say the consumer weapon is bound to fall into criminal hands and worry that officers will be injured by users who lack proper training. The Fraternal Order of Police, the largest law-enforcement labor union, has barred Taser from exhibiting the new C2 weapon or any other at its convention in August.
Seven states have already outlawed consumer use of stunning devices and three other states, including Texas are considering bills for bans or regulation of ownership.
Taser isn't worried. First, its main market is law-enforcement agencies rather than consumers. Second, there's always concern around a new product, the company says.
After a nice 5% run the past ten days, shares closed down 2.56% at $8.37 on Thursday. The stock remains of speculative nature. While many wrongful deaths lawsuits have been dismissed, lowering its risk, Taser does have rocky fundamentals. I still definitely like the long-term prospects, but it's only for those who can stomach it.
As a last comment, and in light of the Virginia Tech shooting, something eludes me here (probably because I'm Canadian). How is it that stunning devices seem to be more regulated than guns in the U.S.? Gun control - no, but stunning devices ban - yes?
Last updated: July 06, 2009: 03:15 AM
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-20-2007 @ 10:02AM
Brad said...
Its a mixed up country.Probably for the same reason there are no seatbelts on schoolbuses,but are on aircraft(like these will save you careening at 800 mph into the ground LOL).Guns have been around for generations,stun guns are a relatively new device,and the ANTI- whatever pundits,can stop new things,but not something that has been around since before they were born.I'm sure your country has laws that dont make sense too.Like, you can smoke grass freely,but get caught with a beer and you are outta here!
4-20-2007 @ 10:29AM
Crash said...
Your comment about gun control and the VT shooting is so insensitive and flat out dumb I am at a loss for words
I think that you can be forgiven because you are Canadian and don't know better because if you did you would have just shut up after you initial comments.
Be carefull what you say lest you be given the "Imus M
aneuver"
4-20-2007 @ 10:42AM
Tyler said...
I don't think it's insensitive to ask why stunning devices are being banned yet guns are not. This horrible shooting should make us stand up and ask questions. How else can we hope to prevent another school shooting in the future?
4-20-2007 @ 1:20PM
john said...
TASERs are just misunderstood. It is a new technology that people just do not understand. These bans are coming from a lack of proper educationand a whole lot of mis-information on the part of the media. TASERs, especially the C2, is going to be the next generation of self defence. I can see, especially in light of recent events, parents looking for ways for their kids to be able to protect them selfs. The C2 will be purchased right along side a new laptop and an IPOD as a standerd tool for college students. College campuses are going to have to start to make some changes so students can have the ability for self protection.