Taser manufacturer rebuffs Canadian tests

TORONTO, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Tests by Canada's national broadcaster on Taser stun gun devices -- used by police -- are being challenged by the U.S. manufacturer as flawed.

The Arizona company that equips most U.S. and Canadian police forces with the weapons issued a statement denouncing a Canadian Broadcasting Corp. report that four of 41 devices it paid a U.S. firm to test fired higher amounts of electricity than the specifications said.

"It is regrettable that false allegations based on scientifically flawed data can create such uncertainty," the company said. "Taser International stands behind the quality and safety of its products and is prepared to provide the assistance and information necessary to allay any concerns."

The tests said the allegedly defective guns were manufactured prior to 2005. As a result of the CBC report, police forces in Manitoba, Newfoundland, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick Fredericton and York Region, north of Toronto, are either testing or retiring such models, the Globe and Mail reported.