Issue

Summary

People may legally carry stun guns (sometimes called electronic defense weapons or electronic weapons) in most states. But some states, including Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin, subject them to certain restrictions. Illinois and Michigan require anyone carrying a stun gun to have a firearms license, and Wisconsin requires anyone carrying a stun gun to have a concealed weapons permit, unless carrying the weapon on his or her property.

Under Connecticut state law, electronic defense weapons, such as stun guns, are classified as dangerous or deadly weapons. With limited exceptions, people are barred from carrying these weapons on their person or in motor vehicles (CGS §§ 53-206 & 29-38).

Below are the statues from Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

Illinois

No person may acquire or possess any firearm, stun gun, or taser within this State without having in his or her possession a Firearm Owner's Identification Card previously issued in his or her name by the Department of State Police under the provisions of this act (430 Ill. Comp. Stat. 65/2).

Michigan

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person shall not sell, offer for sale, or possess in this state a portable device or weapon from which an electrical current, impulse, wave, or beam may be directed, which current, impulse, wave, or beam is designed to incapacitate temporarily, injure, or kill.

(2) This section does not prohibit any of the following:

…

(b) The possession and reasonable use of a device that uses electro-muscular disruption technology by an individual who holds a valid license to carry a concealed pistol. . .and who has been trained. . .in the use, effects, and risks of the device (Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.224a).

Wisconsin

(1m) Whoever…possesses or goes armed with any electric weapon is guilty of a class H felony.

…

(2g) The prohibition on possessing or going armed with an electric weapon does not apply to any of the following:

(a) a licensee or out-of-state licensee [i.e., the holder of a valid license to carry a concealed weapon].

(b) An individual who goes armed with an electric weapon in his or her own dwelling or place of business or on land that he or she owns, leases, or legally occupies (Wis. State. Ann. § 941.295).

VR:bs