Police forces around Australia could soon be using semi-automatic, shotgun and crowd control versions of the controversial Taser stun guns.

The new generation range includes a semi-automatic Taser which can fire three sets of electronic darts in succession.

The Taser X12 that can be fired from a shotgun (top), the semi-automatic Taser X3 (bottom left) and the Taser Shockwave crowd control system (bottom right). Credit:Taser International

Another is like a shotgun cartridge and can be fired from any standard 12-gauge pump action shotgun.

There is also a device called Shockwave - a bank of 12 Tasers which fire probes in a 20 degree arc extending out to about eight metres.