Stun Gun Laws in Pennsylvania (2024)

FAQs

Stun Gun Laws in Pennsylvania? ›

The majority of citizens in Pennsylvania can legally purchase, own, and carry a stun gun of any kind without a permit. Unless you are law enforcement, you can only use them for yourself and your property. You can also only use them with a reasonable amount of force.

Stun guns are classified as prohibitive offensive weapons when used in an offensive capacity, meaning that you are looking to hurt someone for the sake of hurting them or during the course of another crime. That's when it would be potentially illegal use as a prohibitive offensive weapon.

In the state of Pennsylvania, pepper spray is legal when used as a personal protective product for self-defense. Stun guns are also legal, but there are some restrictions. For example, convicted criminals, minors and those who are considered incompetent are not allowed to have stun guns.

Legally, a stun gun is ONLY to be used in matters of self-defense—when you can reasonably articulate that you had no other option to defend yourself against an attack. It's of course always best to try and avoid potentially dangerous situations altogether, if you can help it.

These substances are considered non-lethal but are designed to incapacitate someone temporarily. They are often marketed as self-defense tools and are widely available in Pennsylvania. Pepper spray and mace are legal to purchase and carry, although some restrictions might apply in certain circ*mstances.

Under Penal Code 22610 PC, it is primarily legal in California to purchase, possess or carry a stun gun or taser for lawful self-defense. However, you can't have a taser if you are a convicted felon, a drug addict, a minor under 18, or have a prior conviction for assault or misuse of a stun gun.

In a nut shell, the stun gun sends a shock wave to the nervous system and essentially over works the muscles. This causes severe pain. The impact of the shock is affected by the size of the attacker and how long you shock them for. The longer the device is held on the attacker, the greater the pain.

Stun guns are close proximity devices that require you to be next to the person attacking you. They use a painful shock to discourage further contact. On the other hand, a TASER uses projectile prongs that attach to a target further away—up to 15 feet.

A BB gun is a type of air gun designed to shoot metallic spherical projectiles. Airsoft guns (aka, BB, or pellet guns) are not considered firearms according to the Pennsylvania law. This means that you don't need a permit to buy, own or carry and airsoft (BB) gun.

Do you have to touch someone with a stun gun for it to work? ›

A stun gun can take a few seconds to work and must make contact with the attacker in order to be effective.

Does the stun gun have to contact bare skin to be effective? No, but clothing reduces the effectiveness of the stun gun. The more layers, the greater reduction. The best transfer of energy is through direct skin contact, however in a defensive situation, you have to take what you can get.

No. If the attacker is touching you, you will not be shocked. The shock provided by the stun gun will not conduct from one person to another. The effects of the shock are localized only to where the contact is made.

Any person who carries a firearm concealed on or about his person except in his place of abode or fixed place of business without a valid and lawfully issued license commits a felony of the third degree.

At a Glance:

No statewide laws limit the public carry of knives apart from sensitive locations, and criminal intent restrictions obtain in Pennsylvania.

While the carry regulations may differ slightly in different townships and cities, the law covers the whole state. So, as long as you have a legal and valid permit, you can carry anywhere in the state, unless an area is specifically restricted by a local government.

What states are illegal to carry a stun gun? There are only two states that have laws prohibiting the possession of stun guns. In Hawaii and Rhode Island, it is illegal to possess a stun gun, even for self-defense purposes.

Some stun guns, like many made by TASER, fire barbed electrodes connected to the gun by wires. The barbs stick to clothing or skin so the charge can be delivered from a distance of 15–20 feet.

A: Yes it can make the metal detector beep.

A: TASER energy weapons are designed to temporarily incapacitate a subject only as long as the electrical cycle . . . meaning the subject can recover immediately and most feel no residual side-effects. There are no known long-term effects from being exposed to a TASER energy weapon.

How painful is a stun gun? ›

People who have been shocked say it hurts a lot

Strikes from stun guns "cause severe, uncontrollable contractions of your muscles, which are very painful," Dr. Jonathan J.

Individuals convicted of any felony offense in Pennsylvania are essentially barred from possessing a firearm. Under most circ*mstances, a convicted felon cannot legally buy or own a gun in Pennsylvania.

Like many states, Pennsylvania has a “Stand your Ground” law — also known as a “Shoot First” law — that expands the right to use lethal force in self-defense.

Pennsylvania: Stun Guns and Tasers are Legal

We sell and ship to Pennsylvania.

While the irritant effect of being hit by pepper spray lasts for around 30 minutes, a stun gun can leave your assailant incapacitated for anywhere between 5 and 60 minutes. Once again, the taser proves to be the superior self-defense weapon in this category.

A higher voltage will make pushing the electricity through thick clothing easier, making the stun gun more effective. For this reason, 50,000–100,000 volts is generally considered the best stun gun voltage.

Recent News. Taser, also called taser, in full Tom A. Swift Electric Rifle, handheld device that incapacitates a person by transmitting a 50,000-volt electric shock. The Taser fires two small darts, connected to the device with thin wires, up to a distance of approximately 11 metres (35 feet).

Pennsylvania's stand your ground law is an expanded version of the castle doctrine. This law allows you to use force without first having to retreat from imminent danger if you're in your home, workplace, or in a public place where you have a right to be.

"Even though this is not considered a deadly weapon, firing Orbeez at individuals is a crime and individuals can be held responsible.

No. It is a violation of Federal law for a resident of one state to receive a firearm of any kind from the resident of another state. In order for this transaction to be legal, it must go through a federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL) in the State that the purchaser/receiver resides in.

How long can you stun someone? ›

Stun guns deliver a painful shock when electrified prongs touch the target. They can stun and briefly incapacitate a person for up to five seconds.

While it is not illegal to carry an unregistered firearm in Pennsylvania, it is against the law to conceal and carry it without a license. 18 Pa. C.S.A. § 6106 states that anyone caught carrying without a license who has not committed another criminal violation will face first-degree misdemeanor charges.

Open carry is legal in Pennsylvania without a permit but you must have a permit to carry a firearm in a vehicle. See (11) and (15) below in statute Title 18 § 6106 below. From the PA State Police FAQs.

You are allowed to legally carry a concealed weapon in your own home without a permit; You are allowed to legally carry a concealed weapon in your fixed place of business without a permit.

The state criminal code does not limit the size of the blade that can be carried, like many states do. Owning a butterfly knife, also known as a balisong knife, is allowed in Pennsylvania. Gravity knives, also known as paratrooper knives, are illegal under the Federal Switchblade Act.

Perhaps to your surprise, Pennsylvania law does not prohibit an individual from carrying a firearm in a bar or establishment which sells liquor for consumption on the premises. In fact, in Pennsylvania it is not even illegal to drink alcohol while lawfully carrying a firearm.

You can legally wear a blade that requires one hand to remove it from the case. Pocket knives, daggers, razors, box cutters, butterfly knives, and Bowie knives are also legal in Pennsylvania. The state does not currently limit knives to a certain blade length.

To summarize, open carry is legal in Pennsylvania without a License To Carry Firearms except in "cities of the first class" (Philadelphia) and vehicles where a License To Carry Firearms is required to do so.

Use extreme caution with firearms at all times.

Exceptions include law enforcement officers and individuals with a valid Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms are authorized to carry a firearm concealed on their person while they are within a state park.

Stun Guns are only allowed shipped domestically to the USA and its territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam and where USPS has domestic delivery. The buyer must be 18 years old and the seller is not responsible or liable for any use of these stun guns or stun flashlights.

Can felons own Tasers in PA? ›

You may not possess or use a stun gun or Taser if you are in the class of people prohibited from having firearms in Pennsylvania. This group includes those who: were convicted of certain felonies or other crimes, including domestic violence and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Stun Guns are a Direct Contact Weapon

Stun guns are an effective contact weapon but you must physically touch the person with the prongs of the stun gun. It is also best to hold it on them for many seconds. Stun guns work by rapidly overworking the muscle group and depleting it of blood sugar.

Compared to stun guns, pepper spray is safer than stun guns, legal in more states, and generally more affordable, making it a great alternative.

Taser Voltage and Amperage Insights

The taser has a voltage of 50,000 and an amp of 5. The higher voltage makes it more effective in discharging electricity, while the higher amps make it more effective in terms of current flow. This makes the taser one of the strongest stun guns available.

While the irritant effect of being hit by pepper spray lasts for around 30 minutes, a stun gun can leave your assailant incapacitated for anywhere between 5 and 60 minutes. Once again, the taser proves to be the superior self-defense weapon in this category.

A: TASER energy weapons are designed to temporarily incapacitate a subject only as long as the electrical cycle . . . meaning the subject can recover immediately and most feel no residual side-effects. There are no known long-term effects from being exposed to a TASER energy weapon.

The TASER energy weapons use a peak voltage of 50,000 volts so that the electrons can be propelled across a 2 inch air gap. The high voltage causes electrons to “jump the gap,” a process that “ionizes” the air gap in what appears to the user as a bright arc.

Individuals convicted of any felony offense in Pennsylvania are essentially barred from possessing a firearm. Under most circ*mstances, a convicted felon cannot legally buy or own a gun in Pennsylvania.

Under federal law, people are generally prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms if they have been convicted of a felony or some domestic violence misdemeanors, or if they are subject to certain court orders related to domestic violence or a serious mental condition.

--A person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree if, except as authorized by law, he makes repairs, sells, or otherwise deals in, uses, or possesses any offensive weapon.

How many times can you use a stun gun? ›

Many Taser models can shoot only one pair of darts before changing the firing cartridge that clips to the front of the weapon, but some can hold two or even three cartridges, allowing for more shots before reloading. The X2 model, shown here, holds two cartridges, so it can fire two sets of darts without reloading.

A 5-second direct contact can cause the attacker to experience confusion or disorientation, allowing you an opportunity to escape to safety. A stun gun shock will only incapacitate an attacker for a few seconds – once you've stopped the attacker or can escape towards safety, do so immediately. Call for help if needed.