Can You Legally Carry a Taser?

Tasers and stun guns are legal for civilian self-defense in most states, often without a permit.

A handful of states heavily restrict or ban civilian ownership, and most states set a minimum age of 18 or 21. Convicted felons, and in some states anyone with a domestic violence conviction, are also barred from carrying a Taser.

Because Taser laws vary from fully legal to completely banned depending on the state, checking your local rules before buying or carrying one is essential, similar to the state-by-state approach used for is pepper spray legal in every state.

Carrying a Taser becomes illegal when:

• You live in a state that bans civilian ownership entirely, which applies in a small number of states.
• You are under the minimum age for possession, typically 18 or 21 depending on the state.
• You are a convicted felon, since most states bar felons from owning Tasers similar to firearms.
• You have a domestic violence conviction, since some states extend firearm restrictions to stun guns.
• You carry a Taser in a restricted location, including schools, courthouses, airports, and government buildings.
• You use the Taser offensively against someone who posed no threat, which is assault regardless of the device's legality.

States like Hawaii, Rhode Island, and historically New York and New Jersey have had the strictest restrictions, though laws change frequently. See also: can you be arrested for disturbing the peace for related public carry issues.

Carrying a Taser is legal when:

• Your state permits civilian ownership, which is the case in a strong majority of states.
• You are over the minimum age, typically 18 or 21.
• You are not in a prohibited category, such as a convicted felon or someone with a domestic violence conviction.
• You carry only for self-defense, the legally accepted purpose for civilian Taser ownership.
• You avoid restricted locations like schools, courthouses, and airports.

Most states allow concealed carry of a Taser without a permit, though a few require a separate permit or treat Tasers under concealed carry licensing similar to firearms.

Consequences for violating Taser laws depend on the state and the violation:

• Misdemeanor possession charges: Apply when someone carries a Taser in violation of state age, permit, or background restrictions.
• Felony possession charges: Can apply in states that ban civilian Taser ownership and for prohibited possessors like felons.
• Assault charges: Using a Taser offensively is treated as armed assault, which can carry significant prison time.
• Confiscation: Law enforcement can seize a Taser carried in violation of state or local law.
• Fines: Range from a few hundred dollars for minor possession violations to several thousand for assault-related offenses.

Using a Taser in a valid self-defense situation generally results in no charges, as covered in the related discussion on is using pepper spray in self-defense legal.

Most Taser legal issues surface during a traffic stop, security screening, or after someone is stunned during a confrontation.

If police find a Taser during a lawful search and it violates state law, they typically confiscate it and may issue a citation or make an arrest, depending on how serious the violation is.

When a Taser is used in an altercation, investigators evaluate whether the use met the state's self-defense standard. Stun guns can cause serious injury or death in rare cases, so use-of-force reviews for Tasers can be more detailed than for pepper spray.

• Check your state's Taser laws before buying or carrying one, since a few states ban civilian ownership entirely.
• Verify age and background restrictions, since most states bar felons and those under 18 or 21.
• Carry only for self-defense, since using a Taser offensively is treated as armed assault.
• Keep Tasers out of schools, courthouses, and airports, where they are generally banned.
• Store Tasers securely away from children, since accidental discharge can cause injury.
• Research local restrictions, since some cities add rules on top of state law.
• See also: can police search your car without consent for what to expect during a traffic stop.