Self-defense equipment restrictions
Nearly 30 million crimes are committed in the United States alone every year. This makes it very necessary for people, including the average citizens, to have self-defense weapons in readiness for attacks they can prevent.
However, before you own any self-defense weapon, you should first of all know whether it is legal or illegal so that you can avoid being charged in court for violating the law. In this post, we will inform you what weapons are illegal and which ones are legal. A weapon can be legal in one state but illegal in another state. Some weapons require a license for you to carry them.
What states are stun guns illegal?
Stun guns are considered weapons in the United States. For this reason, the possession of these weapons is highly regulated. There are states where you can legally acquire and own a stun gun as a self-defense weapon without violating the law. Similarly, there are U.S. States that restrict the ownership and use of stun guns by civilians.
So, what states are illegal to possess or own a stun gun? These states include U.S. Virgin Islands, Rhode Island, and Hawaii. Apart from these states, stun guns are legal for the purposes of civilian self-defense in the remaining 48 states. The ownership and possession of stun guns is legal in the 48 states provided a citizen doesn’t have any felony record. Also, minors are not allowed to own or possess stun guns in any of the U.S. States. Besides, stun guns are legal for US civilian self-defense provided it is used for self-defense only.
Teaser guns and Stun guns are not categorized under firearms. Therefore, they are self-defense equipment that are legal to own in such states as Puerto Rico, WY, AL, AK, CA, AR, AZ, ME, LA, MA, IA, KY, KS, IN, IL, GA, ID, CO, DE, CT, FL, OH, NY, MD, MI, MT, MO, MS, NM, NE, NV, NC, NY, ND, NJ, NH, YV, SD, TN, VT, WA, VA, WI, TX, UT, SC, SD, OK, PA, and OR.
In Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin the possession and use of stun guns is legal but requires a license.
In what states is pepper spray legal?
Pepper spray is a legal self-defense device that you are allowed to possess and use provided you meet the legal requirements. It is legal to own and use pepper spray in all the U.S. 50 States provided one is above the age of 18 and has not been convicted of an assault or felony.
According to self-defense equipment restrictions, pepper spray is legal for any citizen to possess but in quantities less than 1/2oz. There are also certain restrictions in various states. For example, in Hawaii, pepper spray is legal with restrictions such as license requirement and less than 1/2 oz in quantity, while in Wisconsin, pepper spray is legal but should not contain more than 1.2% MC or 10% OC (oleoresin capsicum).
Conclusion
Pepper spray is a self-defense equipment that can incapacitate your attacker briefly. The active ingredient, capsaicin, typically causes pain, irritation, and swelling whenever it is sprayed on the face.