Are Stun Guns Legal?
Stun Guns are gadgets used for the purpose of self defense. They are mini gadgets that send electric wave to the person’s body on which it is administered and disable the person for a few minutes, may be 10 minutes. Stun guns are very good for self defense but many states in US do not legally permit its usage by common people. This article discusses the legal viability of stun guns.
Stun guns are used by police for attacking criminals. It is also used by women to protect themselves from situations like physical assault, theft, robbery, and other unwanted situations. Whenever someone tries to attack you or apply physical pressure, you can take out this gadget and touch it in the assailant’s body. The stun gun acts on the assailant’s neuromuscular system and makes him or her unable to move or act for sometime. So, you get enough time to escape till the victim recovers.
The stun gun disables the person only for a little while. It poses no major threat to the assailant’s life. It also does not harm any major organ like heart, lungs or limbs. So basically, stun guns are gadgets that temporarily paralyze a person’s action.
Although the stun gun is not harmful in a major way, many states in US do not permit its use by civilians. Stun guns are considered “Destructive Device “, and its usage is limited. It is only permitted for army and military use.
The reason to put a ban on stun guns is to stop its misuse for attacking someone with ill will. For example, a robber can disable someone walking in the subway by using a stun gun and run away after snatching his or her purse. In such a case, the stun gun is not being used for defense but rather for harming someone with bad intentions. To avoid such misuse, the federal government of some states bans it for public use.
The legality of stun guns keeps changing from year to year in every state. Stun guns are completely illegal in the following states of USA:
- Hawaii
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New York
- New Jersey
- Wisconsin
- Rhode Island
Cities where stun guns are illegal are:
- Annapolis, MD
- Baltimore, MD
- Baltimore County, MD
- Howard County, MD
- Chicago, IL
- District of Columbia
- Philadelphia
The states that permit sale of stun guns have applied few conditions for the user. Anybody who is under the age of 18 years cannot use the device. Also, any person who is fugitive of justice, convicted for crime, renounced citizen of US, drug addict, or mentally deranged cannot possess a stun gun. Although, stun guns are readily available in online stores and retail shops, the seller issues a disclaimer saying that a person under the above conditions cannot keep stun guns.
The legality of stun guns depends on state and city laws. As these laws are renewed annually it is better to check your state laws before buying the gadget.
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