Stun Gun Laws
The following list reflects the best
information we have at this time and may or may not be complete. In no way
should this be regarded as the final word on the legal status of stun devices
nor is this list intended to take the place of legal counsel or be looked at as
being any form of legal advice. Please check with your local authorities to
obtain the latest information on the legality of stun devices in your area. As
a reminder, it is the responsibility of the end-user of any of our products to
check their local and state laws to determine the legality of that product.
STATES THAT STUN DEVICES ARE RESTRICTED:
- HAWAII
- ILLINOIS
- MASSACHUSETTS
- MICHIGAN
- RHODE ISLAND
- WISCONSIN
CITIES WHERE STUN DEVICES ARE RESTRICTED:
- ANNAPOLIS, MD
- DENSION / CRAWFORD COUNTY, IA
- DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
- PHILADELPHIA
STATE RESTRICTIONS:
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Illegal District of Columbia Law. DC Code
Ann. Title 6, Chapter 23. Firearms Control. Subchapter I. General Provisions
6-2302. (7) "Destructive device" means: (B) "Any device by
whatever name known which will, or is designed, or maybe readily converted or
restored, to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or another
propellant through a smooth bore barrel, except a shotgun." (D) Any device
designed or redesigned, made or remade, or readily converted or restored, and
intended to stun or disable a person by means of electric shock. Subchapter II.
Firearms and Destructive Devices. General Provision 6 2311. Registration
requirements: (a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no person or
organization in the District of Columbia ("District") shall receive,
possess, control, transfer, offer for sale, sell, give, or deliver any
destructive device, and no person or organization in the District shall possess
or control any firearm unless that person or organization holds a valid
registration certificate for the firearm. Subchapter V. Sales and Transfer of
Firearms, Destructive Devices, and Ammunition. General Provision 6 2351. Sales
and transfers prohibited. No person or organization shall sell, transfer or
otherwise dispose of any firearm, destructive device, or ammunition in the
District except as provided in *** 6-2352, or 6-2375. SUMMARY: Possession and
sales of Stunning Devices are banned in Washington, DC.
----------------------------------------------
HAWAII: Illegal Hawaii State Law. Rev. Stats. Title 10,Chapter 134.
Firearms, Ammunition, and Dangerous Weapons. Part 1. General Regulations.
Chapter 134-1 Definitions. "Electric gun" means any portable device
that is electrically operated to project a missile or electromotive force.
Chapter 134-16 Restriction on possession, sale, gift, or delivery of electric
guns. (a) It shall be unlawful for any person, including a licensed
manufacturer, licensed importer or licensed dealer, to possess, offer for sale,
hold for sale, sell, give, lend or deliver any electric gun. (b) Any electric
gun in violation of subsection (a) shall be confiscated and disposed of by the
chief of police. SUMMARY: Possession and sales of Stunning Devices are banned
in Hawaii.
----------------------------------------------
MASSACHUSETTS: Illegal Massachusetts State Law. Ann. Laws
of Massachusetts. Chapter 140. Sale of Firearms. Section 131J: Sale or
possession of electrical weapons; penalties. Section 131J. No person shall
sell, offer for sale or possess a portable device or weapon from which an
electric current, impulse, wave or beam may be directed, which current,
impulse, wave or beam is designed to incapacitate temporarily, injure or kill.
Whoever violates this provision of this section shall be punished by a fine of
not less than five hundred nor more than one thousand dollars or by
imprisonment for not less than six months nor more than two years in a jailor
house of correction, or both. SUMMARY: Possession and sales of stunning devices
are banned in Massachusetts.
----------------------------------------------
MICHIGAN: Illegal The Michigan Penal Code Act 328 of 1931.Chapter
750.224a Portable device or weapon directing electrical current, impulse, wave,
or beam; sale or possession prohibited; testing. (1) A person shall not sell,
offer for sale, or possess in this state a portable device or weapon from which
an electric current, impulse, wave or beam is designed to incapacitate
temporarily, injure, or kill. (3) A person who violates this section is guilty
of a felony. SUMMARY: Possession and sales of stunning devices are banned in
Michigan.
----------------------------------------------
NEW YORK: The sale, possession, and use of stun guns and Tasers for
self-defense are legal without major restrictions. The misuse of a stun device
in the commission of a crime or assault can result in criminal liability. ...
(n.Y. Penal Law §§ 265.01,265.20 (2019).) SUMMARY: Stun guns and
Taser are Legal
----------------------------------------------
RHODE ISLAND: Illegal General Laws of Rhode Island. Title 11, Chapter 47.
Statute Subsection 11-47-42. Weapons are other than firearms prohibited. - (A)
No person shall carry or possess or attempt to use against another, any
instrument or weapon of the kind commonly known as a *** stun gun ***. Any
person violating the provisions of this subsection shall be punished by a fine
of not more than five hundred dollars (0), or by imprisonment for not more than
one (1) year, or both such fine and imprisonment, and the weapon so found shall
be confiscated. SUMMARY: Possession and use of Stunning Devices are banned.
----------------------------------------------
WISCONSIN: Illegal Wisconsin Sta. Ann. Chapter 939. Crimes -General
Provisions. Chapter 939.22 Words and phrases defined. (10) Dangerous
weapon" means any firearm, whether loaded or unloaded ***; any device
designed as a weapon and capable of producing great harm ***; any electric
weapon, as defined in s. 941.295(4); or any other device or instrumentality
which, in the manner, it is used or intended to be used, is calculated or
likely to produce death or great bodily harm. Chapter 941.295 Possession of an electric weapon. Subsection (1) On or after July 1, 1982, whoever sells,
transports, manufactures, possesses, or goes armed with any electric weapon is
guilty of a Class E felony. Subsection (4) In this section, "electric
weapon" means any device which is designed, redesigned, used, or intended
to be used, offensively or defensively, to immobilize or incapacitate persons
by the use of electric current. SUMMARY: Possession and sales of stunning
devices are banned.
----------------------------------------------
CITY/COUNTY RESTRICTIONS: CHICAGO: Illegal Publisher's Note: The following
jurisdictions require waiting periods or notifications to law enforcement
officials before weapons may be delivered to purchasers: Chicago- application
approval/denial for (1) Registration: 120 days (2)Re-registration: e.g., by an
heir, 365 days) SUMMARY: Possession and sales of Stunning Devices are banned in
Chicago. (More information required on City of Chicago Ordinance)
----------------------------------------------
PHILADELPHIA: Illegal Philadelphia City Ordinance. Statute 10-825 Stun Guns.
(1) Definitions. (a) Stun Gun. Any device which expels or projects a projectile
that, upon coming in contact with a person, is capable of inflicting injury or
an electric shock to such person. (2)Prohibited conduct. Nor person shall own,
use, possess, sell or otherwise transfer any "stun gun." (3) Penalty.
Any person violating any provision of this section shall be subject to a fine
or not more than three hundred (300)dollars and /or imprisonment for not more
than ninety (90 days.)
----------------------------------------------
LEGAL BUT WITH SOME RESTRICTION:
We can legally sell to you, but please note
the limitations.
STATE RESTRICTIONS:
CONNECTICUT: Legal w/ restrictions Connecticut Criminal Law Title 53 Crimes,
Title 53 Penal Code, Title 54 Criminal Procedure, Chapter 950 Section 53a-3
Definitions: (20) "Electronic defense weapon" means a weapon which by
electronic impulse or current is capable of immobilizing a person temporarily,
but is not capable of inflicting death or serious injury. §53-206. Carrying and
sale of dangerous weapons Any person who carries upon his person? an electronic
defense weapon, as defined in 53a-3, or any other dangerous or deadly weapon or
instrument, unless such person has been granted a written permit issued and
signed by the first selectman of a town, the mayor or chief of police of a city
or the warden of a borough, authoring such person to carry such weapon or
instrument within such city or borough, shall be fined not more than five
hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than three years or both. No permit
shall be issued to any applicant who has ever been convicted of a felony. The
issuing authority may request the applicant's fingerprints and full information
concerning his criminal record and make an investigation concerning his
criminal record and make an investigation concerning the suitability of the
applicant to carry any such weapon. Refusal of fingerprinting by the applicant
shall be sufficient cause to refuse issuance of a permit. Whenever any person
is found guilty of a violation of this subsection, any weapon or another
implement within the provisions hereof, found upon the body of such person,
shall be forfeited to the municipality wherein such person was apprehended,
notwithstanding any failure of the judgment of conviction to expressly impose
such forfeiture. Any person who has been granted a permit to carry any martial
arts weapon pursuant to this section may carry such weapons anywhere within the
state. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any officer charged
with the preservation of the public peace nor to any person who is found with
any such weapon or implements concealed upon his person while lawfully removing
his household goods or effects from one place to another, or from one residence
to another, nor to any person while actually and peaceably engaged in carrying
any such weapon or implement from his place of abode or business to a place or
person where or by whom such weapon or implements are to be repaired, or while
actually and peaceable returning to his place of abode or business with such
weapon or implement after the same has been repaired. (b) any person who sells
to another? electronic defense weapon, as defined in section 53a-3, shall,
within 24 hours after the delivery of such weapon or implement to the person to
whom sold, give written notice of such sale or delivery, specifying the article
sold and the name and address of the person to whom sold or delivered, to the
chief of police of the city, the warden of the borough or the first selectman
of the town, within which such weapon or implement is sold or delivered, as the
case may be. Any person who violates any provision of this subsection shall be
fined not more than one hundred dollars. SUMMARY: Section 53-206(a) prohibits
the carrying of a Stunning Device on the person unless that person has obtained
a dangerous weapons permit. However, there are no state-wide permits, only
local permits the permit is only good in that particular town and would be
illegal elsewhere. Anyone selling such a weapon must notify the chief of police
with that information within 24 hours of the delivery. Therefore Stunning
Devices can be sold and it can be kept in your place of business or home, but
you cannot carry it on your person without a permit which is only good within
the limits of the city in which it was issued.
----------------------------------------------
ILLINOIS: Legal with conditions (Illegal in Chicago)Illinois State Law.
Compiled Stat. Ann. Chapter 430. Public Safety ACT 65.Firearms Owners
Identification Card Act. Chapter 720. Criminal Law and Procedure, Article 24.
Deadly Weapons. 5/24-1 Unlawful use of Weapons. (A) A person commits the offense
of unlawful use of weapons when he knowingly:**** (8) Carries or possesses a
firearm, stun gun or Taser or other deadly weapon in any place which is licensed
to sell intoxicating beverages, or at any public gathering held pursuant to a
license issued by any governmental body or any public gathering at which an
admission is charged, excluding a place where a showing, demonstration or
lecture involving the exhibition of unloaded firearms is conducted; or (9)
Carries or possesses in a vehicle or on or about his person any pistol, revolver,
stun gun or Taser, or firearmor ballistic knife, when he is hooded, robed or
masked in such a manner as to conceal his identity; or (10) Carries or possesses
on or about his person, upon any public street, alley, or other public lands
within the corporate limits of a city, village or incorporated town, except when
an invitee thereon or therein, for the purpose of the display of such weapon
or the lawful commerce in weapons, except when on his land or in his own abodeor
fixed place of business, any pistol, revolver, stun or Taser or another
firearm. A "stun gun or Taser," as used in this paragraph (a) means
(i) any device which is powered by electrical charging units, such as
batteries, which fires one or several barbs attached to a length of wire and
which, upon hitting a human, can send out a current capable of disrupting
person? the nervous system in such a manner as to render him incapable of
normal functioning or (ii) any device which is powered by electrical charging
units, such as batteries, and which, upon contact with a human or clothing worn
by a human, can send out a current capable of disrupting the person's nervous
system in such a manner as to render him incapable of normal functioning. (b)
Sentence. A person convicted of a violation of Subsection 24-1(a)(8) and
Subsection 24-1(a)(10) commits a Class A misdemeanor; a person convicted of a
violation of Subsection 24(a)(9) commits a Class 4 felony. (c)(2) A person who
violates Subsection 24-1(a)(9) in any school, regardless of the time of day or
the time of year or residential property owned, operated, and managed by a
public housing agency or on the real property comprising any school, regardless
of the time of day or the time of year or residential property owned, operated
and managed by a public housing agency or any conveyance owned, leased or
contracted by a school to transport students to or from school or a
school-related activity commits a class 3 felony. School is defined as any
public or private elementary or secondary school, community college, college,
or university. Article 245/24-1.1 Unlawful Use of Possession of Weapons by
Felons or Persons in the custody of the Department of Corrections Facilities.
Section 24-1.1.Unlawful Use of Possession of Weapons by Felons or Persons in
the Custody of the Department of Corrections Facilities. (a) It is unlawful for
a person to knowingly possess on or about his person or on his land or in his
abode or fixed place of business any weapons prohibited under Section 24-1 of
this act or any firearm ammunition if the person has been convicted of a felony
under the law of the State or any other jurisdiction. This section does not
apply if the person has been granted relief by the Director of the Department
of State Police pursuant to Section 10 ***. Article 24 5/24-2 Exemptions (i)
Nothing in this Article shall prohibit, apply to or affect the transportation,
carrying or possession, of any pistol or revolver, stun gun, Taser, or other
firearm consigned to a Common Carrier operating under the license of the State
of Illinois or the Federal Government, where such transportation, carrying, or
possession is incident to the lawful transportation in which such Common
Carrier is engaged; and nothing in this article shall prohibit, apply to or
affect the transportation, carrying or possession of any pistol, revolver, stun
gun, Taser, or another firearm, not the subject of and regulated by subsection
24-1(a)(7) or subsection 24-2(c)of this Article, which is unloaded and enclosed
in a case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or another container, by the
possessor of a valid Firearm Owners Identification Card. SUMMARY: Possession of
a Stunning Device is unlawful when incorporating limits of a city or
incorporated town, school, in any place licensed to sell intoxicating beverages,
at any public gathering held pursuant to a license issued by any governmental
body or any public gathering at which an ] admission is charged, or when a
person's identity is concealed. Possession is legal when on a person's land or
in his own abode or fixed place of business in Illinois.
----------------------------------------------
CITY RESTRICTIONS: OHIO: LYNN COUNTY/CEDAR
RAPIDS: Any stun gun in
public requires the user to have a concealed weapons permit. By literal
translation, Capt. Schwartz (ph: 319-398-3911) states that technically, this
includes even "snowballs" and "Stunning Devices" NOTE:
Stunning Devices can be used, however, in the place of business or at home.
