Saturday, January 14, 2006
Favorable Developments in the Less-Lethal Weapons Market Cap off a Year Otherwise Rife with Difficult Challenges for Stun Gun Technology
Developments late in 2005 provided a notable counterpoint to the year's bad news. They helped to rehabilitate the leading maker’s image and will probably prove critical to the industry’s survival. At the same time, I encourage the competition that continues to challenge the market leader.
Last year cast stun gun technology in an unfavorable light. Much criticism and litigation has been a reaction to the conduct of one manufacturer that many consider irresponsible. This has been detrimental to the future of all stun gun technology, not just the largest maker’s.
The latest, good news about the largest maker bodes well for the entire industry, but it’s never good for an entire industry’s future to be beholden to one company’s reputation.
On Dec. 21, MSNBC.com reported that court in Texas had dropped a wrongful death suit against Taser International Inc. According to the article, this suit was the eighth of its kind to be dropped this year, which began with Taser’s weapon in a major Hollywood movie before the stock embarked on a rollercoaster ride and questionable deaths began to concern critics and monopolize news about stun gun technology.
In Novermber, reports suggested that NASDAQ was to consider a delisting of the stun gun maker after delays in receiving a quarterly report. But a Dec. 23 article from The Motley Fool indicated that the situation had been resolved. The same article also reported that Arizona’s Attorney General’s office had concluded an inquiry into the company.
It was a dramatic one-two punch of good luck for a company that has been against the ropes for a while. We’ll see if the firm’s good fortune lasts. Last year ended on a high note for less-lethal technology, too, and the past week’s news could simply be a peak on the rollercoaster ride we’ve seen all this year. It remains to be seen whether we’re witnessing a turning point, once and for all, for the largest manufacturer of stun guns.
The year also saw competitors such as Stinger Systems, Inc. and Law Enforcement Associates Corp. (LEA) grabbing some spotlight. Right in the largest manufacturer’s own backyard, Stinger, a Tampa, Fla.–based firm, reportedly cut a deal to provide stun guns to the sheriff’s department in Arizona’s Maricopa County. And earlier in the year, LEA’s own president deliberately subjected himself to a shock from his company’s stun gun to prove the safety of the manufacturer’s weapon.
A Stinger press release in late 2005 announced the appointment of a new chief financial officer at the firm. Triangle Business Journal reported on Dec. 23 that Youngsville, NC–based LEA is currently courting a potential stun gun partner.
We still have one major player in the stun gun market, and with that company’s well-publicized vindication this past week, we have a stun gun market that still has a future. But more competition—which critics seemingly discourage and marginalize sarcastically—will help this market’s investors avoid sitting on the edges of their seats every time bad things happen to the industry’s 800-pound gorilla.
Developments late in 2005 provided a notable counterpoint to the year's bad news. They helped to rehabilitate the leading maker’s image and will probably prove critical to the industry’s survival. At the same time, I encourage the competition that continues to challenge the market leader.
Last year cast stun gun technology in an unfavorable light. Much criticism and litigation has been a reaction to the conduct of one manufacturer that many consider irresponsible. This has been detrimental to the future of all stun gun technology, not just the largest maker’s.
The latest, good news about the largest maker bodes well for the entire industry, but it’s never good for an entire industry’s future to be beholden to one company’s reputation.
On Dec. 21, MSNBC.com reported that court in Texas had dropped a wrongful death suit against Taser International Inc. According to the article, this suit was the eighth of its kind to be dropped this year, which began with Taser’s weapon in a major Hollywood movie before the stock embarked on a rollercoaster ride and questionable deaths began to concern critics and monopolize news about stun gun technology.
In Novermber, reports suggested that NASDAQ was to consider a delisting of the stun gun maker after delays in receiving a quarterly report. But a Dec. 23 article from The Motley Fool indicated that the situation had been resolved. The same article also reported that Arizona’s Attorney General’s office had concluded an inquiry into the company.
It was a dramatic one-two punch of good luck for a company that has been against the ropes for a while. We’ll see if the firm’s good fortune lasts. Last year ended on a high note for less-lethal technology, too, and the past week’s news could simply be a peak on the rollercoaster ride we’ve seen all this year. It remains to be seen whether we’re witnessing a turning point, once and for all, for the largest manufacturer of stun guns.
The year also saw competitors such as Stinger Systems, Inc. and Law Enforcement Associates Corp. (LEA) grabbing some spotlight. Right in the largest manufacturer’s own backyard, Stinger, a Tampa, Fla.–based firm, reportedly cut a deal to provide stun guns to the sheriff’s department in Arizona’s Maricopa County. And earlier in the year, LEA’s own president deliberately subjected himself to a shock from his company’s stun gun to prove the safety of the manufacturer’s weapon.
A Stinger press release in late 2005 announced the appointment of a new chief financial officer at the firm. Triangle Business Journal reported on Dec. 23 that Youngsville, NC–based LEA is currently courting a potential stun gun partner.
We still have one major player in the stun gun market, and with that company’s well-publicized vindication this past week, we have a stun gun market that still has a future. But more competition—which critics seemingly discourage and marginalize sarcastically—will help this market’s investors avoid sitting on the edges of their seats every time bad things happen to the industry’s 800-pound gorilla.
# posted by IDTheftSecurity.com @ 4:14 AM 
