Axon Enterprise's drones

US company Axon Enterprise has refused to equip drones designed to enhance security in public places, particularly schools, with stun guns. The company's founder and chief executive, Rick Smith, said in a statement on the company's website on Sunday.

"Our idea was to use taser-equipped drones in public places so that they could stop a mass shooting within minutes. We felt it was important to present our development to the public. However, in light of the feedback we received from the public, we decided to suspend work on this project and concentrate on collaborating with the responsible agencies to study the situation from different angles and find the best way to solve the problem," the statement said.

Rick Smith also emphasized that Axon Enterprise was "created to protect human life," adding that "the terrible tragedies that so many families have experienced" prompt the company's employees to look for out-of-the-box solutions that can prevent more shootings and save American citizens.

The company announced the development of the drone on June 2 in the wake of the tragedy at a primary school in Yuvalde, Texas, on May 24. On that day, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos opened fire, killing 21 people, including 19 children. At the time, Axon Enterprise said it was close to developing guided, non-lethal drones that could help prevent more such tragedies. The new drone model was planned to be able to hit targets at a distance of 12m.

In the past 25 years, there have been 12 incidents in the US (including the 24 May 2022 incident) of mass killings in educational institutions, with five or more victims.