🧠 Federal Legal Foundation
In 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that stun guns fall under Second Amendment protections—even though they did not exist at the time of the Constitution’s drafting—establishing a constitutional right to possess them for self-defense (Blingsting.com, TIME).
🗺️ Overview by State
✅ Permitted in Most States
Stun guns or TASERs are legal for civilian ownership in 48 to 49 states, generally with minimal restrictions such as:
- Adult minimum age requirement (typically 18 years),
- No felony conviction,
- Restrictions on use in specific zones (e.g. schools, public buildings),
- Local ordinances may apply (Loio, Guard Dog Security, TBOTECH).
🚫 States with Prohibitions or Restrictions
| State / Jurisdiction | Current Legal Status |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | Fully bans civilian possession, purchase, and use (U-Guard Security Products) |
| Hawaii | Banned until Jan 1, 2022; newer law legislation legalized electric guns including stun devices as of that date (Uppercut Tactical, Uppercut Tactical) |
| New York | State law prohibits possession, but a 2019 federal court found the ban unconstitutional, creating legal ambiguity—technically permitted under federal precedent, though interpretation varies (Uppercut Tactical, askalawlibrarian.nycourts.gov) |
| Michigan | Ownership allowed, but concealed carry requires a concealed pistol license (treated like a firearm) (Wikipedia, Criminal Defense Lawyer) |
| Illinois | Requires a FOID card and forbids possession within Chicago city limits (U-Guard Security Products, Criminal Defense Lawyer) |
| Wisconsin | Requires a concealed carry permit except in residence, business, or land occupied by the person (Criminal Defense Lawyer, U-Guard Security Products) |
🌐 Other Notes
- Most states do not require permits for purchase or possession, but local or municipal ordinances may impose additional limits (Guard Dog Security).
- Age restrictions are common (mostly 18+).
- Federal restrictions apply to carrying stun devices on commercial aircraft in carry-on luggage, though shipping in checked baggage may be allowed with airline approval (Guard Dog Security).
📋 Summary Table
| Category | Status |
|---|---|
| Legal in 48–49 states | Allowed with minor state-level restrictions |
| Illegal in Rhode Island | Complete prohibition |
| Hawaii | Previously banned, now legalized as of 1 Jan 2022 |
| New York | Legally unclear; federal ruling invalidated the state ban |
| Illinois | FOID card required; banned within Chicago city limits |
| Michigan | Concealed carry only with pistol permit |
| Wisconsin | Permit required for concealed carry (residence exempted) |
✅ What This Means
- In most U.S. states, stun guns are legal for self-defense, but typical conditions include being over 18, non-felon status, and respecting restricted zones.
- Only Rhode Island continues a full ban.
- Some states (e.g. New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois) enforce additional layers of regulation or legal uncertainty.
📂 Additional Resources
For state-by-state breakdowns with full legal references, city/county ordinances, and purchase specifics, see:
- SABRE’s Stun Gun State Laws Guide (TBOTECH, U-Guard Security Products, Loio, Blingsting.com, sabrered.com)
- Lawrina / Loio legal guides on stun gun laws by state (Loio)