Stun Gun and Taser Laws in Georgia

Unlike some states, Georgia doesn't ban stun guns or Tasers, or require a permit to carry one. But state law does restrict where these weapons can be carried, imposes serious consequences on people who use them to commit crimes, and bars felons from possessing Tasers. It's important to understand these rules if you're thinking of buying or carrying one of these weapons.

What Are Stun Guns and Tasers?

Stun guns and Tasers are two types of hand-held weapons that deliver an electrical charge.

Some Georgia laws apply to both stun guns and Tasers, while others apply only to Tasers. The difference between the two weapons is that:

• A stun gun delivers a shock when you touch someone directly with the weapon.
• A Taser (the brand name for the most common of these devices) works from a distance by shooting small darts attached to wires that transmit the electric current.

State law defines both devices by the power of their electric charge. To be a stun gun or Taser, the weapon must deliver a charge that is either:

• stronger than 20,000 volts, or
• otherwise capable of incapacitating someone.

(Ga. Code § 16-11-106(a) (2025).)

Are Stun Guns and Tasers Legal in Georgia?

Stun guns and Tasers are legal in Georgia, and most people may purchase and carry either of these weapons without a permit or license. However, the state places some restrictions on who can possess these weapons and where they can be carried.

Felons May Not Carry Tasers

It is a felony in Georgia for anyone who's been convicted of a felony to possess or own a Taser. This law applies to people who've been convicted of felonies in other states, in federal court, or in other countries.

In most cases, people who break this law will be punished by anywhere from one to 10 years in prison. But the penalties can be more severe:

• Any felon who's convicted more than once for carrying a Taser faces a minimum of five years in prison for the subsequent convictions.
• If the person's original offense was a violent felony, then they face a five-year sentence if they're caught carrying a Taser.

This law does not apply to stun guns. That's because Tasers, unlike stun guns, work by ejecting a projectile. Under Georgia law, this makes Tasers similar enough to firearms to be treated the same way. So, the state's serious penalties for felons who carry guns also apply to felons who carry Tasers.

(Ga. Code § 16.11.131 (2025)).

Stun Guns and Tasers are Barred From School Property

Except for peace officers and certain other authorized individuals, it's illegal in Georgia to bring a stun gun or Taser onto school property. This ban applies to:

• public and private K-12 schools
• technical and vocational schools
• colleges and universities.

It is also illegal to have a stun gun or Taser:

• on a school bus, or
• at a K-12 school-sponsored activity (even if it's not on school property).

(Ga. Code § 16-11-127.1 (2025).)

Can You Use a Stun Gun or Taser in Self-Defense?

Like all states, Georgia allows its citizens to use force to defend themselves. This right includes the use of weapons like stun guns or Tasers. However, prosecutors and courts will look at whether:

• the person believed they had to use force to defend themselves (or another person) from an unlawful attack
• that belief was reasonable given the situation the person was in, and
• the person didn't use more force than necessary.

In addition, the attack must be imminent. In other words, you have to be protecting yourself from an immediate physical threat, not taking action based on what you think might happen in the future.

Tasers and stun guns are designed to be non-lethal. But it's important to know that deadly force is only allowed to prevent violent crimes, or to defend yourself (or another person) from death or very serious injury.

(Ga. Code § 16-3-21 (2025).)

Harsher Penalties for Criminal Use of a Stun Gun or Taser

Weapons charges in Georgia often treat stun guns and Tasers the same as firearms, and impose harsher penalties on people who use these weapons to commit crimes. For instance, a person who has a stun gun or Taser with them while committing certain felonies can be charged with an additional felony charge. This rule applies to people who commit:

• assault and battery, rape, and other crimes against another person
• illegal entry into, or theft from, a building or vehicle, and
• crimes involving manufacturing, distributing, or selling drugs.

In addition to these laws that specifically target certain weapons, Georgia also imposes harsher penalties on people who use "offensive weapons" in ways that are likely to result in serious bodily injury. The Georgia Supreme Court has recognized that stun guns and Tasers:

• are offensive weapons, and
• can sometimes be used in ways that are likely to cause serious bodily injury.

This means that committing a crime using a stun gun or Taser (or threatening to use one) can lead to much more serious criminal consequences. For example, in Georgia:

• assault is usually punished as a misdemeanor (Ga. Code § 16.5.20 (2025)), but
• using a stun gun or Taser could make it an aggravated assault, a felony punished by at least one year in prison. (Ga. Code § 16.5.21 (2025).)

(Harwell v. State, 512 S.E.2d 892 (Ga. Sup. Ct. 1999).)

Look Out for Legal Changes

States can change their laws at any time. You can use this search tool to find and read the current Georgia codes discussed in this article.

Getting More Information and Legal Help

As we've seen, even though stun guns and Tasers are legal in Georgia, there are still significant legal restrictions on where they can be carried and how they can be used. If you have questions about your legal options for owning or carrying one of these weapons, you may want to check with your local law enforcement agency or a local criminal defense lawyer. If you're facing charges for a crime that involved the use of a stun gun or Taser, you should strongly consider consulting with a qualified criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.