Stun Gun Laws in Pennsylvania

Learn about Pennsylvania’s rules on the possession and use of stun guns and Tasers.

By , Legal Editor
Defend your rights. We've helped 95 clients find attorneys today.

There was a problem with the submission. Please refresh the page and try again
Full Name is required
Email is required
Please add a valid Email
Phone Number is required
Please add a valid Phone Number
Zip Code is required
Please add a valid Zip Code
Description is required
By clicking "Find a Lawyer", you agree to the Martindale-Nolo Texting Terms. Martindale-Nolo and up to 5 participating attorneys may contact you on the number you provided for marketing purposes, discuss available services, etc. Messages may be sent using pre-recorded messages, auto-dialer or other automated technology. You are not required to provide consent as a condition of service. Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Your number will be held in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

You should not send any sensitive or confidential information through this site. Any information sent through this site does not create an attorney-client relationship and may not be treated as privileged or confidential. The lawyer or law firm you are contacting is not required to, and may choose not to, accept you as a client. The Internet is not necessarily secure and emails sent through this site could be intercepted or read by third parties.

Most people in Pennsylvania can buy stun guns and Tasers without a permit. But the state's restrictions on gun ownership also apply to these weapons. And no one may use a stun gun or Taser for an illegal reason. Read on for details.

What Counts as a Stun Gun under Pennsylvania Law?

Stun guns and Tasers are hand-held devices that can temporarily immobilize or incapacitate someone with an electrical current. Stun guns require direct contact, while Tasers work from a distance by shooting darts attached to wires that transmit the electrical current. (Taser is a brand name that has become the popular term for these weapons.)

Pennsylvania law uses the term "electric or electronic incapacitation device" for both stun guns and Tasers.

Legal Use of Stun Guns and Tasers in Pennsylvania

Most Pennsylvanians may legally possess a stun gun or Taser without a permit. Unless you're a law enforcement officer, however, you may only use one of these weapons with a reasonable amount of force to defend yourself or your property.

It's a misdemeanor to use a stun gun or Taser for any other reason, but it becomes a felony if you used it with the intent to commit another felony. (18 Pa. Con. Stat. § 908.1 (2019).)

People Prohibited From Possessing or Using Stun Guns and Tasers

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
  • are subject to a domestic violence protective order that requires them to relinquish their weapons, or
  • have been involuntarily committed to a psychiatric institution or found by a court to be incompetent.

(18 Pa. Con. Stat. §§ 908.1, 6105 (2019).)

Look Out for Legal Changes

You can use this search tool to find the full text of the Pennsylvania laws discussed here, including details on all of the crimes that would make you ineligible to possess stun guns or Tasers. Also, states can change their laws at any time, so it's always a good idea to check the current statute.

Getting More Information and Legal Help

There could be local ordinances or regulations on stun guns and Tasers. If you have any questions about your legal right to own, carry, or use one of these weapons, check with your local law enforcement agency or a local criminal defense lawyer.

If you've been charged with a crime that involved the use of a stun gun or Taser, you should promptly speak with a qualified criminal defense lawyer who can explain how the law applies to your situation and any legal defenses that might be available to you.

DEFEND YOUR RIGHTS
Talk to a Defense attorney
We've helped 95 clients find attorneys today.
There was a problem with the submission. Please refresh the page and try again
Full Name is required
Email is required
Please add a valid Email
Phone Number is required
Please add a valid Phone Number
Zip Code is required
Please add a valid Zip Code
Description is required
By clicking "Find a Lawyer", you agree to the Martindale-Nolo Texting Terms. Martindale-Nolo and up to 5 participating attorneys may contact you on the number you provided for marketing purposes, discuss available services, etc. Messages may be sent using pre-recorded messages, auto-dialer or other automated technology. You are not required to provide consent as a condition of service. Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Your number will be held in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

You should not send any sensitive or confidential information through this site. Any information sent through this site does not create an attorney-client relationship and may not be treated as privileged or confidential. The lawyer or law firm you are contacting is not required to, and may choose not to, accept you as a client. The Internet is not necessarily secure and emails sent through this site could be intercepted or read by third parties.

How It Works

  1. Briefly tell us about your case
  2. Provide your contact information
  3. Choose attorneys to contact you