BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhuanet) -- A new Taser stun gun capable of shocking three people without being reloaded was unveiled in Arizona in the Untited States on Monday, media reports said.

    Taser International Chairman Tom Smith, and his brother, CEO Rick Smith, unveiled the new X3 "electronic control device" in front of hundreds of law enforcement officers at the Scottsdale-based company's annual conference.

    The company said the new handheld weapon was the first device to be developed since 2003 and featured enhanced safety features.

    Older Taser stun guns, in use by 14,200 law enforcement agencies throughout the United States, have to be reloaded after one shot, which can be a problem for an officer who has missed a target or has more than one suspect to subdue.

    The new stun gun costs 1,799 U.S. dollars, compared with 799 dollars for the older model. It will be available to law enforcement agencies in late August.

    Human rights groups contend Tasers cause heart attacks, challenging manufacturer claims that they are safe and non-lethal.

    (Agencies)