In the State of Georgia, peace officers legally authorized to carry Tasers and other stun guns must undergo rigorous training and obtain certification that they are authorized to carry and use such a weapon under Section 35-8-26 of the Georgia State Code. TASER and electronic control weapons. The majority of states allow civilians to use stun guns, including tasering, ® without major restrictions. This means there are no training, background checks, or other paperwork requirements. Since the TASER® is not classified as a firearm, most states allow residents to purchase it fairly freely for self-defense purposes. States where TASER® is legal without major restrictions are: Almost all states criminalize the use of stun guns for attacks or situations other than self-defense. This means that if you own a stun gun or taser, you can`t use it to physically hurt someone else out of anger or no reason. You can only use it for self-defense, and if you use it in any other capacity, you will be prosecuted. Many states allow police, peace officers or other professionals to carry tasers or stun guns. However, they also need regular training and certification to ensure they know how to use them and under what circumstances. Most states do not require permission to carry a stun gun, but there may be local regulations that prohibit the carrying of stun guns.
It`s important to check the laws in your state and region before carrying a stun gun. Some states have specific laws that prohibit the use of stun guns against law enforcement officers. Two major Supreme Court cases The landmark District of Columbia vs. Heller decision set a crucial precedent for all self-defense cases. Dick Anthony Heller, a DC special agent, applied for a one-year gun license for a handgun he wanted to keep at home and was denied. Dick sued the District of Columbia. The U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that Heller`s right to the 2nd Amendment had indeed been violated. They ruled that the 2nd Amendment protects a person`s right to keep a firearm in their personal home for self-defense, arguing that the District of Columbia`s requirement that it not be functional violates that right. The landmark Massachusetts v.
In 2016, Caetano was responsible for raising several stun guns across the country. A woman named Jamie Caetano was convicted by the state of Massachusetts of illegally possessing a stun gun she owned to protect her from her abusive ex-boyfriend. The Supreme Court unanimously overturned the case, citing District of Columbia vs. Heller, stating that the complete ban on electric shock weapons in Massachusetts violates a person`s right to carry firearms under the 2nd Amendment. Legal timeline of stun gun repeal 2021: Until recently, New Jersey also banned guns, but they legalized stun guns in late 2017. Other major cities, such as Baltimore and Philadelphia, also lifted previous bans on stun guns in 2017. New York legalized stun guns in 2019. If TASERS are illegal in your state, don`t search online for a TASER® Pulse for sale and have it shipped to another address. There could be heavy penalties for the use of a TASER weapon in a state where they are prohibited. You can always turn to an alternative to TASER such as pepper spray or stretch batons if you can`t use stun guns in your home state. Tasers or stun guns are legal, depending on your situation and location.
In some states, you can only have a TASER® if you pass a background check. In Illinois, stun guns and TASERS are only legal if the operator has a valid FOID card and hidden firearms license and® passes a background check. Stun guns (including a TASER) ® are also not sold in Chicago, and residents must obtain permission from law enforcement to transport a TASER® purchased elsewhere in the city. Only three (3) states require background checks in 2019: Absolutely no state allows minors to possess stun guns or tasers, and it is illegal to sell, rent, offer, rent, trade, or otherwise provide a stun gun to anyone under the age of 18. Can I travel with a stun gun or TASER? If you`re traveling by plane, your electric shock gun should be stowed in checked baggage, just like you would for pepper/mace spray. Placing your device in carry-on baggage or on you will likely result in seizure and possible prosecution by airport authorities, so be careful. When you leave the country, make sure your stun gun is legal wherever you go. ** A stun gun is legal, but if you have a Taser, you must have a state-issued handgun license. As an authorized TASER dealer, the Self-Defense Department team is always aware of the laws, restrictions, rules and regulations for TASER stun guns and self-defense products. Protecting yourself and your loved ones is now more important than ever, and carrying a stun gun may be the surest way to do it.
It depends, because the law can be vague or grey in some places. Although the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) does not consider TASER devices to be firearms, several states regulate them under this legal framework. Several states require a permit for concealed porting, especially those with licensing requirements for ownership. Self-defence is usually justified only in response to an immediate threat of violence. Using a Taser in situations that are not legally for self-defense or using a Taser as a weapon against another person can be considered bodily harm and can be both prosecuted and held civilly liable. To learn more about the laws and legality of stun guns, click on this link under Laws and Legality. Carrying a stun gun is similar to carrying a firearm because it is a special law. There are various laws for possessing stun guns and carrying them in public, where they could be used to injure people. It is also illegal for anyone to possess a dangerous weapon in certain places such as hospitals and schools. Several states criminalize possession of a dangerous weapon such as a stun gun or taser if you are in a school like Idaho Code Ann.
§ 18-3302D. In Michigan, it is illegal to carry a stun gun hidden not only in a school, but also in a private daycare. sports arena; or stadium, bar or tavern; religious institution; entertainment option; Hospital; or dormitory. Laws like these are widely used in several states. In summary, stun guns are legal in most states, but there are a few exceptions. It is important to check your state`s laws before buying or using a stun gun.