STUN GUN LAWS/ REQUIREMENTS DATED 11-09-15 State Laws / Permit Requirements Penalties-At-A-Glance Alabama Under Alabama law, a stun gun is not considered a firearm. Rather, Alabama defines a firearm as a weapon that uses gunpowder to discharge a shot. While stun guns do not fall within the definition of a firearm, the use of a stun gun may still result in criminal liability. Alaska Alaska criminal law directly addresses the use of stun guns, which, when used during the commission of a crime, can result in being charged with a felony that carries a possible prison sentence. Arizona The use of an authorized remote stun gun or remote stun gun during the commission of a crime is among the 24 aggravating factors identified by statute that may authorize the judge to impose the maximum prison term allowed by law for defendants convicted of felonies. Arkansas A person who uses a stun gun to commit certain felonies is subject to an additional prison term of one to ten years if the crime is committed in front of a child. California In California, most people may purchase, posses, or use a stun gun, and they do not have to obtain a permit. However, you may not purchase, possess, or use a stun gun if you are a convicted felon, someone convicted of an assault under federal or any state s laws or the laws of any country, or have a prior conviction for misusing a stun gun under Cal. Pen. Code 244.5, or addicted to any narcotic drug. Colorado It is a class 5 felony to use a stun gun in the commission of a crime. Penalties include a fine up to $100,000. Connecticut Illegal to carry a stun gun in public (openly or concealed) without a permit It is a felony to possess a stun gun in public without a license. Penalties include a fine of up to $500, up to three years in prison, or both. The stun gun will also be forfeited. Delaware (some cities have banned possession) It is a Class A misdemeanor to carry a concealed stun gun for an unlawful purpose. Penalties include a fine of up to $2,300, up to one year in jail, or both.
D.C. Illegal to possess, carry, transfer, loan, manufacture, or sell a stun gun It is a misdemeanor to possess, carry, or sell a stun gun. Penalties include a fine of up to $2,500, up to one year in jail, or both. Florida It is illegal to carry a stun gun for purposes other than self-defense (with greater penalties for concealed carry than for open carry). Georgia It is a felony for a convicted felon to possess or own a projectile stun gun; penalties include one year (and up to five years) in prison. Hawaii Illegal to possess, sell, or carry a stun gun It is a misdemeanor to purchase, possess, or use a stun gun in Hawaii. Penalties include a fine of up to $2,000, up to one year in jail, or both. Idaho It is a misdemeanor for convicted felons to possess or use a stun gun. Penalties include a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both. Illinois Legal but most obtain a Firearm Owner's Identification card Unlawfully carrying a stun gun is a class A misdemeanor. Penalties include a fine of up to $2,500, up to one year in jail, or both. Indiana Legal but most obtain a handgun license It is a Class B misdemeanor to sell or furnish a stun gun to a person who is less than eighteen years of age. Penalties include a fine of up to $1,000, up to 180 days in jail, or both. Iowa It is illegal to carry a concealed stun gun without a concealed weapons permit unless you are located on your own property. Kansas Generally, Kansas does not prohibit the possession of stun guns in public areas like courts and school grounds. Kentucky It is illegal to carry a concealed stun gun if it is intended to be used as a deadly weapon, unless you are on your own property or property owned by your family Louisiana It is a misdemeanor to possess a concealed stun gun if it is intended to be used as a dangerous weapon. Penalties include a fine of up to $500, (but local law up to 6 months in jail, or both. But local law may differ: New Orleans may be more restrictive) Code of Ordinances section 54-339 makes it illegal to sell, manufacture, purchase, possess, or carry a stun gun. Maine It is a Class D crime (misdemeanor) to use an electronic weapon upon any other person for reasons other than self-defense. Penalties include a fine of up to $2,000, up to 364 days in county jail, or both. Maryland It is illegal to carry a concealed stun gun for purposes other than selfdefense. It is also illegal to carry a stun gun (openly or concealed) with
Massachusetts Illegal to purchase, possess, or sell the intent to unlawfully injure another individual. It is a misdemeanor to purchase, possess, sell, or use a stun gun in Massachusetts. Penalties include a fine of $500 to $1,000, between six and 30 months in jail, or both. Michigan pistol permit is required It is a felony to sell or possess a stun gun. Penalties include a fine of up to $2,000, up to four years in prison, or both. Minnesota It is a felony to use a stun gun in the commission of a crime. Penalties include a fine of up to $10,000, up to five years in prison, or both. Mississippi Legal but must obtain a It is a misdemeanor to carry a concealed stun gun for use as a deadly concealed carry license to weapon. Penalties include a fine of up to $500, up to six months in jail, carry outside or both. Missouri It is a Class D felony to carry a concealed stun gun if it is intended to be used as an offensive, lethal weapon. Penalties include a fine of up to $5,000, up to four years in prison, or both. Montana It is a misdemeanor to carry a concealed stun gun if it is intended to be used as an offensive, deadly weapon. Penalties include a fine of up to $500, up to six months in jail, or both. Nebraska It is a Class I misdemeanor to carry a concealed stun gun if it is intended to be used as a deadly weapon. Penalties include a fine of up to $1,000, up to one year in jail, or both. Nevada It is a Category B felony to use a stun gun on another person for purposes other than self-defense. Penalties include a fine of up to $5,000, one year (and up to six years) in prison, or both. New Hampshire It is a Class B felony to possess a stun gun outside of your residence if you are a convicted felon. Penalties include a fine of up to $4,000, one year (and up to seven years) in prison, or both. New Jersey It is a crime of the fourth Penalties include a fine of up to $10,000, up to 18 months in prison, or degree to possess or carry both. a stun gun New Mexico It is a petty misdemeanor to possess a concealed stun gun if it is intended to be used as a deadly weapon. Penalties include a fine of up to $500, up to six months in jail, or both. New York Illegal to purchase, possess, or sell It is a Class A misdemeanor to possess an electronic dart gun or electronic stun gun. Penalties include a fine of up to $1,000, up to one
year in jail, or both. North Carolina It is a Class 2 misdemeanor to carry a concealed stun gun in public. Penalties include a fine of up to $1,000, up to 30 days in jail, or both. North Dakota weapons license is required It is a Class B misdemeanor to carry a concealed taser at a public gathering Ohio It is a first-degree misdemeanor to carry a concealed stun gun in public if the intent is to use the stun gun as a deadly weapon. Penalties include a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both. Oklahoma It is a felony to possess a stun gun while committing or attempting to commit another felony. Penalties include two years (and up to 10 years) in prison. Subsequent violations carry increased penalties. Oregon It is a Class C felony to carry a stun gun with the intent to use the stun gun unlawfully against another person. Penalties include a fine of up to $125,000, up to five years in prison, or both. Pennsylvania It is a second degree felony to purchase, possess, or use a stun gun if you are a convicted felon. Penalties include a fine of at least $5,000 (and up to $25,000), up to ten years in prison, or both. Rhode Island It is illegal to possess or use a stun gun Penalties include the confiscation of the stun gun and a fine of up to $1,000, up to one year in jail, or both. South Carolina It is illegal to carry a concealed stun gun if the intended use involves committing a crime. Penalties include a fine of $200 (and up to $500) or 30 days (and up to 90 days) in jail. South Dakota Anyone who uses a stun gun to cause, or attempt to cause, bodily injury to another commits a Class 3 felony, punishable by a fine of up to $30,000, up to 15 years in prison, or both. Tennessee It is a Class E felony to carry a stun gun if it is intended to be used as a deadly weapon during the commission of a crime. Penalties include a fine of up to $3,000, one year (and up to six years) in prison, or both. Texas It is illegal to carry a stun gun in Texas for purposes other than selfdefense. It is also a crime to attempt to take a stun gun (or other weapon) from a peace officer or other law enforcement agent. Utah It is a Class B misdemeanor to possess a concealed stun gun if it is intended to be used as a dangerous weapon. Penalties include a fine of
up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both. Vermont Anyone who carries a stun gun with the intent to injure another person commits a crime, punishable by a fine of up to $200, up to two years in prison, or both. Virginia It is a Class 6 felony for convicted felons and people who were convicted of certain crimes as minors to carry or use a stun gun in public. Penalties include either a fine of up to $2,500, up to one year in jail, or both Washington Anyone who, by an act of criminal negligence, causes bodily harm to another person through the use of an electronic shock device or projectile stun gun commits a Class C felony, punishable by a fine of up to $10,000, up to five years in prison, or both. West Virginia It is a misdemeanor to possess a concealed stun gun if it is intended to be used as a deadly weapon. Penalties include a fine of $100 (and up to $1,000), up to 12 months in jail, or both. Wisconsin weapons permit is required It is a Class H felony to carry, sell, transport, manufacture, or possesses a stun gun. Penalties include a fine of up to $10,000, up to six years in prison, or both. Wyoming It is a felony to possess, manufacture, transport, repair, or sell a stun gun with the intent to threaten another, commit assault, or inflict bodily injury on another. Penalties include a fine of up to $1,000, up to five years in prison, or both.