Stun Gun Laws
Stun Gun Laws by State
Zarc International, Inc.™ allowed products listing may change from time to time as well as state statutes. This is the most current compilation of stun gun state laws. Please check with your local jurisdiction if unsure.
Except for Rhode Island, most states allow one to possess a stun gun subject to specific stun gun laws by state and restrictions for civilian use:
State
Legal?
Alabama
Legal to purchase and possess without a permit but in the City of Mobile, a city permit is required from the local police and possession is not allowed on school property, even in a vehicle in school premises.
Arkansas
Stun guns and tasers are legal to purchase and carry, you must be at least 19 to be allowed to purchase
Arizona
It is legal to buy, carry, and use a stun gun in Arizona, with exceptions. The user must be 18 years of age or older, and show a valid ID. There is no license required
California
It is legal to buy, carry, and use a stun gun in California, with exceptions. It is illegal for felons to purchase or carry a stun gun. Minors must have written consent from a legal guardian to purchase before the age of 18. There is no license required.
Connecticut
It is legal to buy, carry, and use a stun gun in Connecticut, with exceptions. The user must have a valid gun permit and be at least 21 years of age. There is no license required.
Delaware
It is legal to buy, carry, and use a stun gun in Delaware, with restrictions. The user must be at least 21 years of age, complete a background check, and have no felony convictions. Stun guns are illegal in Newark, Wilmington, and New Castle County. There is no license required
FLORIDA
It is legal to buy, carry and use a stun gun in Florida, with exceptions. Convicted felons and users under the age of 16 without parental supervision are not allowed to carry stun guns. There is no license required
GEORGIA
It is legal to buy, carry, and use a stun gun in Georgia, with exceptions. Convicted felons are not allowed to carry stun guns. There is no license required.
HAWAII
It is legal to buy, carry, and use a stun gun in Hawaii, with restrictions. Users must be 21 years of age, pass a background check, and receive a license in order to do so. Stun guns cannot be purchased online and shipped to Hawaii.
IDAHO
It is legal to buy, carry and use a stun gun in Idaho, with restrictions. Felons are not allowed to own stun guns.
ILLINOIS
It is legal to buy, carry and use a stun gun in Illinois, with exceptions. A FOID card is required for purchase or an Illinois concealed carry permit. Still there are certain restrictions like carrying it in public housing or public transit, in school or a courthouse, or where stun guns are illegal in the city of Chicago.
INDIANA
Stun guns are legal to buy, carry and use in Indiana, with exceptions. Valid ID and permit are required for purchase.
IOWA
Stun guns are legal to buy, carry and use in Iowa, except for Denison and Crawford Country, where they are illegal.
KANSAS
Stun guns are legal to buy, carry and use in Kansas, with exceptions. Users must be 18 years of age or older. There is no permit required.
KENTUCKY
Stun guns are legal to purchase and possess in Kentucky without any special permits or restrictions. However, as with any form of self-defense tool, responsible use and adherence to general safety laws is expected of owners
LOUISIANA
Stun guns are legal to purchase and carry in Louisiana without the need for a special permit. However, it is always recommended to use them responsibly and in accordance with the law, specifically for self-defense purposes.
MAINE
Stun guns are legal to purchase and carry in Maine without the need for a special permit. However, users must be at least 18 years old and have no felony convictions. It's always recommended to use them responsibly and in accordance with the law, specifically for self-defense purposes.
MARYLAND
Stun guns are legal to buy, carry and use in Maryland. Purchaser must complete a background check, but no permit is required.
MASSACHUSETTS
Stun guns are legal to buy, carry and use in Massachusetts, with a valid permit.
MINNESOTA
Stun guns are legal to buy, carry and use in Minnesota, with exceptions. Users must be at least 18 years of age, pass a background check, and have no prior felony convictions. No license is required.
MISSISSIPPI
Stun guns are legal to purchase and carry in Mississippi. There are no specific state-wide restrictions or licensing requirements for ownership or possession, but users are encouraged to handle these devices responsibly and in accordance with the law, primarily for self-defense purposes.
MISSOURI
In Missouri, you're free to buy and carry stun guns without needing any special permissions.
NEBRASKA
In Nebraska, the legal requirements for stun gun ownership include being a minimum of 18 years old and having a clean criminal record, specifically with no felony convictions
NEVADA
Stun guns are legal to buy, carry and use in Minnesota, with restrictions. Users must be at least 18 years of age, with no prior felony convictions. No license is required
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Stun guns are legal to buy, carry and use in New Hampshire, as long as the user is over the age of 18. No license is required.
NEW JERSEY
Stun guns are legal to buy, carry and use in New Jersey, as long as the user is over the age of 18. No license is required
NEW MEXICO
In New Mexico, stun guns are legal to purchase and possess. There are no specific state-wide restrictions or licensing requirements for ownership or possession.
NEW YORK
Stun guns are legal to buy, carry and use in New York. There is no license required. You must be 18 years or older with no felony convictions to purchase.
NORTH CAROLINA
Stun guns are legal to buy, carry and use in North Carolina. There is no permit required.
OHIO
Stun guns are legal to buy, carry and use in Ohio, as long as the user has a valid permit.
OKLAHOMA
Stun guns are legal to buy, carry and use in Oklahoma, as long as the user has a valid permit.
PENNSYLVANIA
Stun guns are legal to purchase and possess in Pennsylvania without the need for a special permit or license if you are at least 18 years old.
TENNESSEE
Stun guns are legal to purchase and possess in Tennessee without the need for a special permit or license.
TEXAS
In Texas, stun guns are legal to purchase and possess. There are no specific state-wide restrictions or licensing requirements for ownership or possession.
WEST VIRGINIA
Stun guns are legal to purchase and possess in West Virginia without the need for a special permit or license.
WISCONSIN
Stun guns are legal to buy, carry and use in Wisconsin, with exceptions. A valid permit is required, and the item must be carried in a closed case.
The Importance of Local Ordinances
It's key to remember that besides state laws, local rules might also limit owning and using stun guns. In some places, you might need a license or permit if you want to use a stun gun or TASER for your protection. Some states also require background checks such as Illinois, Maryland, or Minnesota.
While most states in the U.S. give the green light for folks to have these weapons, there's one place that says no: the U.S. Virgin Islands, which is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States. This shows how the rules about stun guns can vary a lot from one local area to another, and they can change over time, too.
Stay updated with any changes in these local laws is crucial for remaining legally compliant.