Stun Gun and Taser Laws in Michigan

Michigan restricts the ownership and possession of stun guns and Tasers, but these two weapons are treated very differently under state law. In 2012, a Michigan appeals court declared the state's ban on both weapons unconstitutional. The legislature responded by amending the law, and it is now legal for civilians to possess Tasers--but only if they first obtain a Michigan concealed pistol license. Stun guns, on the other hand, are still barred by state law, despite some confusion about the validity of that ban. It's important to understand the differences between these weapons, and how Michigan restricts their ownership and use.

Michigan Used to Ban Both Stun Guns and Tasers

Some state laws treat stun guns and Tasers the same (and may use the same terminology for both). But Michigan currently has different rules for these two types of devices.

Michigan used to outlaw the possession of any portable device that directed an electrical current designed to injure, kill, or temporarily incapacitate the target. That definition covered both stun guns and Tasers. The only exceptions were for on-duty law enforcement officers or certain other individuals (like probation officers and licensed private investigators) who were authorized and trained to use the devices as part of their official duties.

However, in 2012 a Michigan appeals court ruled that the state's complete ban on consumer possession and use of all stun guns and Tasers, whether in the home or openly carried in public, violated the Second Amendment's right to bear arms (People v. Yanna, 824 N.W.2d 241 (Mich. Ct. App. 2012)).

In response to this court decision, Michigan has changed its laws, and now regulates Tasers and stun guns differently.

Tasers Are Now Legal in Michigan, but Only With a License

Michigan's amended law includes an exception that makes it legal for civilians to own and carry Tasers if three conditions are met:

• They must have a valid Michigan license to carry a concealed pistol. We'll talk more about this requirement below.
• They must have received training on the use, effect, and risks of Tasers. Anyone who sells a Taser in Michigan must provide this training at the time of the sale.
• The device must have an identification and tracking system that records when it's been used and allows it to be traced to the buyer.

(Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 750.224a(2)(b) and (5) (2025).)

The Legal Difference Between a Stun Gun and a Taser

Michigan's law is a little confusing because it never actually defines what a Taser is, or specifically explains how a Taser is different from a stun gun. But the weapon explicitly permitted under Michigan law is defined as one that:

• creates electro-muscular disruption that temporarily incapacitates or immobilizes the target, and
• contains an identification and tracking system that allows law enforcement to trace the weapon to the person who purchased it.

(Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.224a(7)(a) (2025).)

Only Tasers fit this definition. Tasers fire darts that transmit a charge strong enough to cause involuntary muscle contractions. They can also be sold with the kind of tracking system required by Michigan law—for example, when a Taser is used it can shoot out confetti-like pieces of paper with the weapon's serial number on them.

Stun guns, on the other hand, work by causing a painful shock, rather than a shock strong enough to prevent the muscles from working. They also do not come with the kind of tracking technology required by Michigan law.

Stun Guns Are Still Illegal Under Michigan Law

State law still outlaws stun guns in Michigan. That's because:

• they are covered by the state's ban on portable devices that use electricity to injure, incapacitate, or kill people, and
• they are not covered by the exception that applies to Tasers.

(Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 750.224a(1), (2), and (7). (2025).)

This approach to electronic weapons has led to confusion over the legal status of stun guns, for at least two reasons.

First, the appeals court that invalidated the state's ban on certain electronic weapons did not draw a distinction between stun guns and Tasers. Instead, it grouped those weapons together and said that Michigan's ban on "tasers and stun guns" was unconstitutionally broad. (People v. Yanna, 824 N.W.2d 241 (Mich. Ct. App. 2025)).

Second, it's not clear why stun guns should be treated as more dangerous than Tasers. On the one hand, when a Taser is used it can be traced back to its manufacturer and purchaser. So that might people less likely to use them illegally or unsafely. On the other hand, though, Tasers deliver a more powerful shock and have a much longer range than stun guns.

However, as a Michigan sheriff clarified in 2020, state law currently bans stun guns, even if the reasons for the ban might be tough to understand. This could change in two ways:

• A new legal challenge could lead an appeals court in Michigan to explicitly rule that the state's ban on stun guns is unconstitutional.
• The state legislature could amend Michigan law again to explicitly legalize stun guns. A bill like that passed the Michigan House of Representatives in 2021, but did not become law.

If you have specific questions about the legality of stun guns or Tasers, you can contact the local police or consult with an attorney.

How Do You Get a License for a Taser in Michigan?

Since the license to have a Taser in Michigan is the same as for concealed handguns, there are fairly strict qualifications. The application form and instructions for obtaining a Michigan concealed pistol license are available on the Michigan State Police website.

Among other requirements, you must be:

• at least 21 years old
• a United States citizen (or in the country legally), and
• a Michigan resident for at least six months.

The six-month residency requirement can be waived if the applicant can show they have an immediate need for a weapon that they can use in self-defense.

The application process includes fingerprinting and a background check, and a person can be disqualified if, for example:

• They have been convicted of any felony (or have a felony charge pending).
• They have been recently convicted of (or have pending charges for) certain misdemeanors. These offenses include violent crimes like assault and domestic abuse; property crimes like breaking and entering; fraud and embezzlement; and various weapons violations.
• They have been dishonorably discharged from the military.
• They are subject to a court order (for example, a domestic violence restraining order) or any other legal restriction on their right to own or possess weapons.
• They have a mental health issue that might make them a danger to themselves or other people, or they've been involuntarily committed to a mental health treatment program.

Applicants must also complete a pistol safety training course. This course is required even if you only want a Taser, not a firearm.

(Mich. Com. Laws § 28.425b (2025).)

Restrictions on Carrying and Using Tasers in Michigan

Even if you have a Michigan concealed pistol license, you must follow state laws limiting when and how you can use a Taser.

Using a Taser in Self-Defense

Under Michigan law, you have the right to use force in self-defense. This includes the right to use a weapon like a Taser, but only in certain circumstances.

The use of non-deadly force is permitted if you:

• are not committing a crime
• are in a place you are legally allowed to be (e.g., you weren't trespassing on private property)
• you honestly and reasonably believe you have to defend yourself against another person's unlawful use of force.

These same principles also determine when you're legally permitted to intervene and protect someone else from an unlawful attack.

Keep in mind that you can only use force to defend yourself if you're being attacked, or on the verge of being attacked. You can't use a Taser, or use any other kind of force, just because you think someone is going to harm you in the future.

In addition, police and courts in Michigan consider whether the amount of force was reasonable given the threat you faced. This determination depends on the facts of each situation.

Tasers are designed to be non-lethal weapons, but if the use of a Taser results in someone's death then the police and courts may ask whether the use of deadly force was justified. When making that determination, they'll ask whether you were protecting yourself or another person from:

• imminent death of or imminent great bodily harm, or
• imminent sexual assault.

If you use a Taser on someone and the authorities decide you weren't acting in self-defense, you could be charged with a crime (we'll talk below about the penalties for misusing one of these weapons). So, if you're planning to use a Taser as a self-defense weapon, you may want to speak with an attorney or the local police to ensure you understand Michigan law.

(Mich. Comp. Laws 780.972 (2025); People v. Ogilvie, 341 Mich. App. 28 (2022).)

Restrictions on Where You Can Carry a Taser

It's against the law to carry a Taser in certain places, including:

• school property (unless you stay inside your car while dropping off or picking up your child at school)
• college classrooms or dorms
• day care centers
• sports arenas, stadiums, or large entertainment facilities (seating 2,500 or more people)
• bars (unless you're the owner or an employee)
• places of worship, unless they explicitly permit carrying concealed pistols, and
• hospitals.

(Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 28.425o(1) and (2) (2025).)

Penalties for Stun Gun or Taser Violations

If you're found guilty of breaking Michigan's rules for stun guns and Tasers, you could face significant fines and even jail time.

Illegal possession of a stun gun or Taser. Possession or use of a stun gun—or of a Taser without a valid license—is a felony. Violating this law is punishable by up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000. (Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.224a(4) (2025).)

Unlawful use of a Taser. As we discussed above, you cannot use a Taser on someone unless it's in self-defense (or to lawfully defend another person). If you violate this rule you could face up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $2,000. (Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 750.224a(6) (2025).)

No proof you have a license. It's a civil infraction if you're carrying a Taser and:

• don't have your concealed pistol license and your driver license (or state-issued ID) with you, or
• don't show your license and ID to an officer who asks for them.

Violating these rules is an infraction, and can be punished by a $100 fine. You also risk having your Taser seized if you're carrying it but don't have your license or ID with you. You would then have 45 days to get the weapon back by showing your license or documentation to law enforcement.

Failure to tell a police you have a Taser. If you're stopped by the police, you must tell them if you're carrying a Taser or have one in your vehicle. For a first offense, you can be fined $500.00 and have your carry license suspended for six months. If you do the same thing again within three years of that first offense, the fine goes up to $1,000 and your license to carry will be revoked.

(Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.425f (2025).)

Carrying your Taser in a sensitive location. As we discussed above, even if you have a license to carry a Taser it is illegal to carry it in certain locations. If you violate this law, the penalties get increasingly severe:

• A first offense is an infraction, punishable by a fine of up to $500 and a six-month suspension of your license to carry.
• A second offense is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and revocation of your license to carry.
• Any subsequent violation is a felony punishable by up to four years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, and revocation of your license to carry.

(Mich. Comp. Laws § 28.425o(6) (2025).)

Getting Legal Help

If you have general questions about Michigan's rules for stun guns and Tasers, you may want to speak with an attorney, or contact your local police department. If you've been accused of violating the state's laws for these weapons, you should consult a qualified criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. As we've seen, Michigan's rules for stun guns and Tasers can get complicated, and the penalties for breaking them can be severe. An experienced lawyer should be able to evaluate your case and help you decide how to proceed.