The Australian government says it will consider arming air marshals on domestic and international flights with Taser stun guns after a six-month trial of the equipment by police forces on the ground.
A ready response unit of the Federal Police Force has begun the Taser trial and the government confirms it will evaluate the results after six months and consider expanding Taser use to airline air marshals, who are deployed on selected domestic and international flights to and from Australia. Tasers, supplied by US company Taser International, were recently approved for use on Korean Air flights to and from the USA by the US Transportation Security Administration.
The non-lethal Tasers can temporarily incapacitate dangerous, combative or high-risk subjects, says the manufacturer.
EMMA KELLY / PERTH
Source: Flight International
