Taser Comes Out With Consumer Model

LOS ANGELES – The makers of Taser stun guns (search) hope people who need personal protection will consider the new consumer-oriented Taser.

Taser says the weapon is ideal for anyone who comes and goes at odd hours.

The X26C (search) weighs just seven ounces, is a bit bigger than a cell phone and looks like a pistol.

Like its big brother, used by police departments, the X26C fires twin probes on wires and packs a 50,000 volt shock.

The $1,000 price tag includes a holster, a DVD and a certificate for one-on-one training with a certified instructor.

CEO Rick Smith (search) says each X26 will be registered to the buyer. When fired, it releases confetti-like paper, each piece bearing the weapon's serial number, an effort to deter criminal use.