Axon Public Safety Gun Fatality Database will deliver
insights to help inform solutions for moonshot goal to reduce
gun-related deaths between police and the public
Axon also highlights new and innovative capabilities in
technology and Virtual Reality training
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.,
Oct. 16,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Axon Enterprise Inc., (NASDAQ:
AXON), the global public safety technology leader, announced a new
national database that represents a critical step toward
achieving a moonshot goal of reducing gun-related deaths between
police and the public.
Released in collaboration with the Institute for
Intergovernmental Research (IIR), an independent non-profit
research firm, the database is the result of thoroughly
researched, collected and analyzed public information related to
all shooting deaths from 2021 through June
2023 in all U.S. jurisdictions involving officers and
civilians. The Axon Public Safety Gun Fatality Database
provides a comprehensive view of gunfire fatalities between police
and the public in the United
States, including the deaths of both civilians and law
enforcement officers.
"When Axon launched our moonshot goal to cut gun deaths between
police and the public, we realized that to drive progress, we all
need better data," said Axon Founder and CEO Rick Smith. "Today's database launch
highlights our commitment to our customers and to the public in
achieving the moonshot goal we unveiled in 2022. Axon's part is to
invest in technology, training and data that deepens trust. We are
also thrilled to partner with IIR, a neutral and independent party
doing this important and critical research."
Tragically, the number of lives lost in 2022 was similar to
2021, and 2023 is on the same trajectory. In 2022, 1,201 civilian
and law enforcement lives were lost to gun fatalities. The 2022
data provides the baseline data for the moonshot — meaning that
cutting gun-related deaths in half over the next decade requires
driving down fatalities to fewer than 600 per year, even as the
population grows.
Gun-related deaths between police and the public are a
well-researched subject — each piece of research has its own
individual methodology and approach — providing a valuable record
on this critical issue. The Axon Public Safety Gun Fatality
Database will deliver new insights on these incidents and serve as
an additional resource to research, study and explore solutions
that move the industry forward to protect life.
Including relevant public information on each incident where
available, the database captures certain variables that are not
usually analyzed for these incidents. To start, a set of baseline
variables are included: general incident information, whether
a TASER energy weapon was deployed, and data regarding the
activity that prompted the incident, among others. The full set of
variables will be expanded upon to include data such as the
duration of the incident, if the incident took place indoors or
outdoors, officer training experience, and whether officers were
carrying a TASER energy weapon. For Axon's perspectives on this
comprehensive data and how additional variables can help shape
solutions to reduce gun deaths between police and the public, see
the blog post.
Although Axon launched the moonshot goal and is funding the
research, achieving this goal is necessarily bigger than one
company — and Axon is proud to be working in partnership with some
of the leading law enforcement agencies, experts, and associations
in the United States, as well as
community leaders and advocates. Over the course of the first year,
we have convened over 40 meetings with more than 250 agencies and
associations. This has built a broad contingency with hundreds of
thousands of officers lending their support and partnership in
achieving our moonshot goal. We anticipate sustained engagement
through ongoing roundtables, discussions and identifying solutions
together in support of delivering this joint overarching goal.
National law enforcement partners value more robust
research
- "We are proud to support the Axon Public Safety Gun Fatality
Database, a groundbreaking endeavor that offers a comprehensive
perspective on gun-related fatalities involving both police and the
general public," said Fraternal Order of Police National President
Patrick Yoes. "By incorporating data
on law enforcement fatalities, we now possess a better
understanding of the present situation, enabling us to make
well-informed choices aimed at ensuring the safety of all
individuals."
- "We believe that research is essential for effective and
trustworthy policing," said NOBLE President Rodney Bryant. "The database serves as a
valuable resource for crafting solutions aimed at reducing deaths
and strengthening the relationship between law enforcement and the
public."
- "The National Policing Institute is proud to partner with Axon
as they release this database tracking gun-related deaths between
law enforcement and civilians," said National Policing Institute
President Jim Burch. "Data is the
cornerstone upon which we build effective solutions to address this
complex issue to foster a safer and more just society."
More about Axon's contribution: Technology, training and
trust
In addition to the database, Axon is committed to investing in
better technology and training that will help achieve better
outcomes and deepen trust between law enforcement and the
communities they protect and serve. TASER 10 and Axon
Body 4, both released this year, are significant technology
advancements toward our moonshot goal, providing more opportunities
to help officers de-escalate and resolve conflicts and ensure that
critical moments are captured.
Axon also recognizes that safer outcomes start with improved
training. Axon is proud to announce the rollout of new TASER
10 and TASER 7 VR Controllers that are purpose-built for VR, in
partnership with virtual reality market leader HTC VIVE, along with
new immersive TASER energy weapon skills exercises for VR Simulator
Training. As more agencies look to add TASER 10 to their programs,
the new TASER 10 VR Controller gives officers substantial training
opportunities by being able to deploy hundreds of TASER 10
cartridges in VR before deploying a live TASER 10. See Axon's blog post to learn more
about the new TASER VR Controllers and training exercises, both
rolling out this quarter.
Those interested in joining the movement by sharing ideas or
contributing in ways we have not yet imagined can visit
axon.com/moonshot or email moonshot@axon.com.
ABOUT AXON
Axon is the technology leader in global public safety. Our moonshot
goal is to cut gun-related deaths between police and the public in
the U.S. by 50% before 2033. Axon is building the public safety
operating system of the future by integrating hardware devices and
cloud software solutions that lead modern policing, defense and
security. The Axon ecosystem includes TASER energy devices,
body-worn cameras, in-car cameras, cloud-hosted digital evidence
management solutions, productivity software, real-time operations
capabilities and third-party integrations through Axon's partner
network. Axon's growing global customer base includes first
responders across international, federal, state and local law
enforcement, fire, corrections and emergency medical services, as
well as the justice sector, commercial enterprises and
consumers.
Learn more about our moonshot at axon.com/moonshot or
email moonshot@axon.com.
Non-Axon trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Axon, Protect Life and TASER are trademarks of Axon
Enterprise, Inc., some of which are registered in the US and other
countries. For more information visit www.axon.com/legal. All
rights reserved.
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- Axon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/axon
- Axon on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Axon.ProtectLife/
Note to Investors
Please visit http://investor.axon.com, https://www.axon.com/press,
www.twitter.com/axon_us and
https://www.facebook.com/Axon.ProtectLife/ where Axon discloses
information about the company, its financial information and its
business.
Media Contact
Victoria
Keough
Press@Axon.com
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