NUNAVUT - More than half the Nunavut RCMP's tasers are being pulled out of service in a national recall because tests showed the weapons are not meeting their design specifications.

"We are working on a strategy to address the numbers," said Sgt. Sylvie Tremblay from the RCMP's national headquarters in Ottawa. "There is no shortage."

Tremblay said there are 43 tasers, or "conducted energy weapons" of the M26 model in the territory which are being withdrawn for testing. That leaves 34 of the newer X26 model still being used in the territory. The X26s are smaller and have less output than the M26 but are more reliable, according to the RCMP.

"We still have the other model," said Cpl. Bruce Collins of RCMP V Division. "The member safety is still there."

With only 34 tasers in use in Nunavut, Collins said he believes every community detachment still has them available when needed.

There are 25 RCMP detachments in Nunavut with 104 members as of June 2008.

The old M26s are being withdrawn because the government of British Columbia tested them and found that 80 per cent "failed to operate within the manufacturers' specifications," according to an RCMP press release.

Almost all of the defective weapons had less electrical output than they were supposed to.