Stun Gun Laws
Alabama:
Stun guns are legal in Alabama. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.
Alaska:
Stun guns are legal in Alaska. However, it is illegal to knowingly sell a stun gun to a person under the age of 18. Alaska State. Ann. § 11.61.210. (Alaska classifies a stun gun as a “defensive weapon”).
Arizona:
Stun guns are legal in Alabama. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership. The seller must keep an “accurate sales record as to the identity of the purchaser with the manufacturer of the authorized remote stun gun.” Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 13-3117(A)(1). The identification shall be verified with a government issued identification. Id.
Arkansas:
Stun guns are legal in Arkansas. However, it is illegal for a person who is eighteen years of age or under to purchase or possess a “taser stun gun.” Ark. Code Ann. § 5-73-133(b). Similarly, it is illegal to sell a “taser stun gun” to a person who is eighteen years of age or under. Id.
California:
Stun guns are legal in California. However, California has the following relevant restrictions: “(1) no person convicted of a felony or any crime involving an assault under the laws of the United States, the State of California, or any other state, government, or country, or convicted of misuse of a stun gun under Section 244.5, shall purchase, possess, or use any stun gun, (2) no person addicted to any narcotic drug shall purchase, possess, or use a stun gun, and (3) no person shall sell or furnish any stun gun to a minor unless the minor is at least 16 years of age and has the written consent of the minor's parent or legal guardian. Cal. Ann. Penal Code § 22610.
Colorado:
Stun guns are legal in Colorado. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.
Connecticut:
Stun guns are legal in Connecticut. However, it is illegal for a convicted felon to possess an “electronic defensive weapon.” Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-217 (there are other restrictions within the statute).
Delaware:
Stun guns are legal in Delaware. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.
District of Columbia:
Stun guns are legal in the District of Columbia. However, no person under eighteen shall possess a stun gun unless brief possession is required for self-defense to immediate harm. D.C. Code Ann. § 7-2502.15. To sell a stun gun, “a vendor shall obtain pursuant to § 47-2851.03(e) a stun gun endorsement on its basic business license from the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs on a form to be provided by the Department.” Id. at § 7-2502.16.
Florida:
Stun guns are legal in Florida. However, it is illegal for a convicted felon to possess an “electric weapon.” Fla. Stat. Ann. § 790.23 (there are other restrictions within the statute). Additionally, the use of an electric weapon by any minor under the age of sixteen years of age is prohibited unless under the supervision and in the presence of an adult who is acting with the consent of the minor’s parent. Id. at § 790.22.
Georgia:
Stun guns are legal in Georgia. However, it is illegal for a convicted felon to possess a firearm, which could include some stun guns. Ga. Code Ann. § 16-11-131 (firearm is defined as “any handgun, rifle, shotgun, or other weapon which will or can be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or electrical charge”).
Hawaii:
It is illegal to buy, sell, or possess a stun gun in Hawaii. Haw. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 134-16.
Idaho:
Stun guns are legal in Idaho. However, it is illegal for a convicted felon to possess an “conducted energy device.” Idaho Code Ann. § 18-3325.
Illinois:
Stun guns are legal in Illinois. However, it is illegal to deliver a stun gun or taser, incident to a sale, without withholding delivery of the stun gun or taser for at least 24 hours after the application for purchase. 720 Ill Comp. Stat. 5/24-3(g). This limitation does not apply to certain sales. 720 Ill Comp. Stat. Ann. 5/24-3(g).
Indiana:
Stun guns are legal in Indiana. However, it is illegal to intentionally sell or furnish a stun gun to a person who is less than eighteen years of age. Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-8-5. Electric stun weapons and tasers are treated differently than stun guns. To possess an electric stun weapon or taser, the person is subject to the requirements of a handgun license. Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-8-4; Ind. Code Ann. § 35-47-2.
Iowa:
Stun guns are legal in Iowa. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.
Kansas:
Stun guns are legal in Kansas. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.
Kentucky:
Stun guns are legal in Kentucky. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.
Louisiana:
Stun guns are legal in Louisiana. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.
Maine:
Stun guns are legal in Maine. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.
Maryland:
Stun guns are legal in Maryland. However, it is illegal to possess an “electronic control device” if the person is under the age of eighteen or has been convicted of a crime of violence as defined by the relevant statute. Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law § 4-109. Additionally, in order to sell an electronic control device three requirements must be satisfied: “(1) an instructional manual or audio or audiovisual instructions are provided to the purchaser; (2) the manufacturer maintains a record of the original owner of the electronic control device; and (3) the manufacturer or seller has obtained a State and federal criminal history records check of the original owner to ensure” the buyer is at least eighteen years of age and has not been convicted of a crime of violence. Id. Maryland requires that all manufacturers provide an investigating law enforcement agency prompt access to the manufacturer’s records on the electronic control devices and cartridges sold in the State. Id.
Massachusetts:
Massachusetts classifies a stun gun as a firearm. Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140 § 121. Therefore, it is illegal for any person to possess a firearm who has not obtained a license to carry a firearm. Id. at §§ 129C, 130. Similarly, it is illegal to sell a stun gun to any person under the age of twenty-one nor to any person who is not licensed to carry a firearm. Id. at § 129C (unless the buyer presents a valid firearm identification card and a permit to purchase or presents such permit to purchase and is a properly documented exempt person. Id. at § 129C(u)).
Michigan:
Stun guns are legal in Michigan, however, possession of a “electro-muscular disrupting” device is limited to individuals who hold a valid license to carry a concealed pistol. Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 750.224a(2)(b). Similarly, an authorized dealer must verify the buyer’s identity and holds a valid concealed pistol license. Id. at § 750.224a(5).
Minnesota:
Stun guns are legal in Minnesota. However, it illegal for anyone who is prohibited from possessing a pistol or anyone under the age of eighteen to possess an “electronic incapacitation device.” Minn. Stat. Ann. § 624.731. Similarly, it is illegal for a person to knowingly sell an electronic incapacitation device to someone who is prohibited from possessing such a device. Id.
Mississippi:
It is legal to have a stun gun in Mississippi, however, the person possessing the stun gun must have a valid license to carry the stun gun. Miss. Code Ann. § 45-9-101.
Missouri:
Stun guns are legal in Missouri. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.
Montana:
Stun guns are legal in Montana. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.
Nebraska:
Stun guns are legal in Nebraska. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.
Nevada:
Stun guns are legal in Nevada. However, a person who has been convicted of a felony, is a fugitive, has been adjudicated as mentally ill or has been committed to a mental health facility, is illegally in the United States, or is under the age of eighteen shall not possess a “stun device.” Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 202.357. Similarly, it is illegal to sell a stun device to a person who cannot legally possess the device. Id.
New Hampshire:
Stun guns are legal in New Hampshire. However, it is illegal for a convicted felon to possess an “electronic defense weapon” away from the premises where he or she resides. N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 159:21. It is also illegal for any person to knowingly sell an electronic defense weapon to a person is under the age of eighteen. Id. at § 159:22.
New Jersey:
It is illegal to possess a stun gun in the state of New Jersey. N.J. Stat. Ann. 2C:39-3(h).
New Mexico:
Stun guns are legal in New Mexico. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.
New York:
It is illegal to possess a stun gun in the state of New York. N.Y. Penal Law § 265.01.
North Carolina:
Stun guns are legal in North Carolina. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.
North Dakota:
Stun guns are legal in North Dakota. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.
Ohio:
Stun guns are legal in Ohio. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.
Oklahoma:
Stun guns are legal in Oklahoma. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.
Oregon:
Stun guns are legal in Oregon. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.
Pennsylvania:
Stun guns are legal in Pennsylvania. However, the State restricts possession of an “electric capacitation device” the in the same manner it restricts possession of a firearm. 18 Pa. Stat. and Cons. Stat. Ann. § 908.1.
Rhode Island:
It is illegal to possess a stun gun in the state of Rhode Island. 11 R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-47-42.
South Carolina:
Stun guns are legal in South Carolina. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.
South Dakota:
Stun guns are legal in South Dakota. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.
Tennessee:
Stun guns are legal in Tennessee. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.
Texas:
Stun guns are legal in Texas. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.
Utah:
Stun guns are legal in Utah. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.
Vermont:
Stun guns are legal in Vermont. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.
Virginia:
Stun guns are legal in Virginia. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.
Washington:
Stun guns are legal in Washington. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.
West Virginia:
Stun guns are legal in West Virginia. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.
Wisconsin:
It is illegal to possess an “electric weapon” in Wisconsin unless the person has a license to carry a concealed weapon. Wis. Stat. Ann. § 941.295. Similarly, it is illegal to sell an “electric weapon” to a person who does not have a license to carry a concealed weapon. Id.
Wyoming:
Stun guns are legal in West Wyoming. The State does not place a restriction on stun gun ownership.