Exhibit 99.1
For Immediate Release: May 23, 2007
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CONTACT: |
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Dan Behrendt
CFO
TASER International, Inc.
(480) 905-2000 |
TASER International CEO Exercises Expiring Options
and Establishes 10b5-1 Trading Plan
SCOTTSDALE, AZ, May 23, 2007 TASER International, Inc. (NASDAQ: TASR) a market leader in
advanced electronic control devices today announced that Chief Executive Officer Rick Smith has
exercised nonqualified stock options to acquire 504,000 shares of TASER common stock which expire
on May 29, 2007 and has adopted a stock trading plan in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 related to the sale of 500,000 shares. Similarly, Tom Smith,
Chairman of TASER Internationals Board of Directors, has also adopted a stock trading plan in
accordance with Rule 10b5-1. The Smiths plans are a component of their overall tax and financial
planning strategy that is designed to provide enhanced diversification and liquidity relating to
taxes and acquisition costs associated with the exercise of the stock options.
Rule 10b5-1 enables corporate officers and directors to establish stock trading plans for the
orderly sale of predetermined amounts of securities. Such plans may be initiated only when the
officers and directors are not in possession of material and non-public information. The rule
allows individuals adopting such plans to sell shares over a specified amount of time at specific
prices in the future, even if subsequent material and non-public information becomes available to
them.
Rick Smith executed a cashless exercise for a portion of these nonqualified stock options under
which approximately 100,000 option shares were sold on the open market to fund the
acquisition of the balance of 404,000 option shares being acquired through an exercise and hold.
Under the provisions of Rick Smiths 10b5-1 plan, up to 500,000 shares may be sold, which, together
with the approximate 100,000 option shares sold in the cashless exercise, represent 19% of the
3,171,376 shares he controls (2,765,208 shares owned and 406,168 in remaining vested stock
options). Any transactions executed under the provisions of the plan, which is effective for
approximately 12 months starting in the third quarter of 2007, will be reported on Form 4 filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There are no assurances that any shares will be sold
during the duration of the plan.
Under the provisions of Tom Smiths 10b5-1 plan, up to 375,000 shares may be sold, representing 19%
of the 1,970,256 shares he controls (1,040,088 shares owned and 930,168 remaining vested stock
options). Any transactions executed under the provisions of the plan, which is effective for
approximately 12 months starting in the third quarter of 2007, will be reported on Form 4 filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There are no assurances that any shares will be sold
during the duration of the plan.
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 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 Internationals forward looking statements in this press release and 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 results from Company filed lawsuits and other
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, adjustments to these amounts which may be reflected in
our 10Q filing, competition, financial and budgetary constraints of prospects and customers,
international order delays, dependence upon sole and limited source suppliers, negative reports
concerning TASER device uses, governmental inquiries and investigations, medical and safety
studies, fluctuations in component pricing, government regulations, variation among law enforcement
agencies with their TASER product experience, TASER device tests and reports, dependence upon key
employees, and our ability to retain employees. TASER Internationals 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 Companys Form 10-QSBs and its Annual Report on Form 10-KSB.
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.
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