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US Government: Taser's OKAY on Planes |
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The U.S. government for the first time has approved the use of Taser stun guns on some commercial airline flights in an effort to protect passengers from potential terrorist activities or other dangers.November 8, 2004
OK given for airline's Taser use
Diane Arthur
The Business Journal
The U.S. government for the first time has approved the use of Taser stun guns on some commercial airline flights in an effort to protect passengers from potential terrorist activities or other dangers.
Scottsdale-based Taser International Inc. (NASDAQ: TASR) did not name which airline has been cleared for stun gun use, but USA Today reported Monday that Korean Air -- with 50 flights into the United States -- was the airline to receive U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) approval to use Taser stun guns in-flight.
Taser did not disclose the number of stun guns purchased.
Steve Tuttle with Taser International Inc. in Scottsdale told The Business Journal that this could lead to more airline business in the future.
"I couldn't put a finger on how many airlines will be looking at this, but certainly there is a lot of interest out there," he said.
Late in 2002, United Airlines purchased more than $1 million worth of Taser technology, but the TSA has yet to make a ruling on United's request following the airline's bankruptcy filing in December 2002.
Tuttle said Taser's stun guns are safe to use on aircraft: "They do not interfere with avionics or the communications, so they are completely safe aboard the aircraft and the training (given to pilots and flight attendants on Taser use) is very good."
In the case of Korean Air, it is not clear whether pilots, flight attendants or both had been trained to use the stun guns.
For more information see:
US Government OKAY's Tasers for Flights |
