Gov’t to buy 10,000 TASERs for police

The Department of Public Safety has entered into a $33 million contract with Axon Enterprises to buy 10,000 TASER weapons for the island’s police force.

By The Star Staff

Puerto Rico’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) has entered into a $33 million contract with Axon Enterprises to buy 10,000 TASER weapons for the island’s police force.

The Financial Oversight and Management Board approved the contract on Aug. 28, according to a publication.

Stun guns and TASERs are non-lethal self-defense weapons that use electrical current to incapacitate an attacker temporarily. Stun guns are handheld devices that require direct contact with the assailant, while TASERs can be deployed from a distance using probes or wires. The devices offer individuals an effective means of self-defense, often preferred for their non-lethal nature and the ability to disable an aggressor without causing permanent harm.

Anyone over the age of 18 can own a stun gun or TASER in Puerto Rico. However, there are some exceptions. For example, felons and people who have been convicted of domestic violence are not allowed to own such weapons.

Stun guns and TASERs can be used for self-defense in Puerto Rico. However, they cannot be used in a public place, such as a bar or a restaurant.

Besides the 10,000 TASER 10 electronic control devices, the contract includes software licenses, and accessories to be used by the Puerto Rico Police Bureau. The contractor will provide support in the software’s implementation, development, deployment and management. The General Services Administration (GSA) certified that the proposed contract constitutes an exceptional purchase, as the contractor is the sole authorized distributor for TASER brand weapon products needed by the DPS.

As such, according to the GSA, the proposed contract is exempt from the requirement of a competitive procurement process under Article 34 of Act 73-20219, known as the General Services Administration Act for the Centralization of Purchases of the Government of Puerto Rico, and the Uniform Regulation for Purchases and Bids of Goods, Works, and Nonprofessional Services of the General Services Administration of the Government of Puerto Rico.

The proposed contract has a five-year term from its execution date and a maximum payable amount of $33 million or $6 million per year.