Stun Gun Laws by State (2025 Legal Guide)

Are stun guns legal in your state? Lets find out! U.S. stun gun laws have evolved rapidly in recent years, and outdated information still dominates search results. This 2025 guide breaks down the current legal landscape — by state and situation — in plain English.

✅ This article is different:

• It’s updated for 2025
• No fluff or outdated bans already overturned
• Covers permits, restrictions, and where you can legally carry

Federal vs. State Laws on Stun Guns There’s no sweeping federal ban on stun guns or tasers. Instead, each state (and sometimes city) sets its own rules. Generally, the federal government only steps in when these devices are misused, like on a plane, in a school, or during a crime. So the real question is: what are the laws in your state?

States Where Stun Guns Are Restricted (2025) Most states now allow civilian possession of stun guns or tasers, but a few still impose serious restrictions:

• Illinois: Legal only with a valid FOID card
• Massachusetts: Legal with a carry permit
• Michigan: TASERs allowed with a concealed pistol license (CPL); regular stun guns still banned
• Wisconsin: Requires a CCW permit or recognized out-of-state license

Former Ban States Now Legal (as of 2022–2024)

• New York
• New Jersey
• Rhode Island
• Hawaii These states repealed their bans after federal court challenges. You can now buy and carry stun guns in these states, often without a permit.

Local City Bans That Were Repealed Several cities previously banned stun guns independently, but most have repealed those laws:

• Chicago, IL: Now legal with a FOID card
• Annapolis, MD
• Baltimore, MD
• Howard County, MD
• Denison, IA (Crawford County)

Countries Where Stun Guns Are Still Banned If you’re traveling abroad, stun guns are banned in many countries including: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, India (Police Only), Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom Do not attempt to travel internationally with a stun gun. Customs will confiscate it and you may face legal consequences.

Age Restrictions Most U.S. states require buyers to be 18 or older to legally purchase or carry a stun gun. Some states allow minors to possess them with parental consent, but this varies widely.

Can I Carry My Stun Gun in Public? That depends on your state and local laws. Many allow open carry, while others require a permit, or that the stun gun remain concealed or in a case. Never carry one in schools, airports, courthouses, or government buildings.

Where to Buy a Legal Stun Gun You can order legally in most states from licensed sellers like SelfDefenseProductsLLC.com. Always check your local laws before purchase.

TASERs vs. Stun Guns

• Stun Gun: Requires direct contact with the attacker
• TASER: Fires probes from 15+ feet away TASERs are more heavily regulated in many states compared to standard stun guns.

Best Practices for Safe Legal Carry

• Keep your stun gun charged and stored safely
• Avoid brandishing it in public unless necessary
• Air travel: TSA requires it be packed in checked luggage only (TSA policy)

Penalties for Violating Stun Gun Laws Breaking stun gun laws can result in:

• Fines
• Misdemeanor or felony charges
• Confiscation of the device
• In rare cases, jail time (especially if used in a restricted zone or crime)

Key Takeaways ✅
Stun guns are legal in most U.S. states, though some have specific restrictions. A few states require a permit to carry. Most jurisdictions set the minimum age at 18 to buy or use one. Always avoid carrying stun guns in restricted areas like airports, courthouses, or schools.

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• ❓ Can I Bring a Stun Gun on a Plane? →
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