A stun gun is an electric shock device used for self defense. They deliver a high-voltage electric shock that temporarily disables the target.
The electric shock causes debilitating pain and muscle spasms. It also depletes blood sugar, causing the attacker to lose control.
Possession of Stun Guns
Stun guns are nonlethal weapons that are designed to send electrical shocks to the attacker. They are an effective alternative to firearms for civilian self-defense and are often used by police officers.
In 2019, a federal court struck down New York’s complete ban on civilian possession of stun guns and Tasers. The court left open the possibility that certain restrictions on these weapons could pass constitutional muster, but until the state changes its laws, New Yorkers are free to buy and keep them for personal use–as long as they don’t use them to commit other crimes.
Stun guns are a type of electronic dart gun (popularly called Tasers, the main brand name), which shoots darts or probes attached to wires that carry an electrical shock. They are banned by the United States Supreme Court but have been legalized in many states, including New York.
Legality of Stun Guns in New York City
Stun guns are devices that temporarily immobilize an assailant by delivering a high-voltage electric shock. They are also called TASER (electronic dart guns) and have become extremely popular for self-defense.
In New York State, it is illegal for a person to possess a stun gun. A person who knowingly possesses one is guilty of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.
But peace officers and specified others are exempt from this rule.
A federal judge struck down New York’s complete ban on civilian possession of stun guns and tasers as unconstitutional in 2019. While New York is still attempting to change its laws, it’s important to understand what these devices are and how to use them safely.
Stun Guns in Schools
Stun guns are a popular form of self-defense that immobilizes an attacker. They deliver high voltage electricity to an assailant’s body which will disable them long enough for you to escape.
They can be a great option for college students, single moms, and joggers looking to defend themselves against an attacker without causing serious injury. They can also be used by police to help prevent a violent crime in a public area.
In a federal lawsuit, New York’s ban on personal ownership of stun guns was struck down as unconstitutional, the latest in a series of rulings that have loosened restrictions on the weapons in several states.
The new law requires that people who purchase tasers and stun guns have valid FOID cards. They also have to pass a background check and wait a minimum of 24 hours before they can carry them, as is the case with firearms purchases.
Stun Guns in Public Places
Stun guns are an electrical self-defense device that is designed to use a high voltage shock to disorient or incapacitate a target. They are not considered weapons in the state of New York and are legal for civilian use.
They are also used by law enforcement in certain situations. Typically, they are deployed as an alternative to lethal force in cases where the attacker has predicted bodily injury or is a threat to public safety.
The device delivers an electrical shock that causes skeletal muscles to contract, immobilizing the target. It’s less deadly than using a gun and can cause temporary loss of balance, muscle control and mental confusion.
The stun gun has been criticized by some people for being unconstitutional, but it is legal in most states. Some states like Hawaii and Illinois have restrictions on them.