Understanding Stun Gun Laws in Washington State

Stun guns have been around for decades, but it wasn’t until they were made popular by law enforcement agencies that most people know what a stun gun actually is. Today just about everyone knows that if you touch the electrodes of a stun gun up to their body, you’ll get a jolt that will leave you stunned for a few minutes. It is also known that the “shock” from touching the electrodes and the person you want to “surprise” is irreversible. That is, there is no long term medical danger to being hit, but it will catch you off guard.

There are many products that fall into this category of “non-lethal” weapon. Many people use these type of weapons for self-defense purposes, however their use is banned, regulated or restricted in certain areas. In Washington state, the use of stun guns is generally legal. Here’s an overview of the stun gun laws in Washington state.

In The United States, laws governing the use of stun guns vary from state to state. Most states either allow the possession and use of stun guns or have no law on the subject at all. Only a handful of states limit stun gun use in various ways.

When it comes to laws regarding stun guns, Washington is one of the states that allows the use of stun guns and does not prohibit their sale. The exception to this is Pierce County in Washington, which has banned stun guns altogether in the county.

Overview of Stun Gun Laws in Washington State

1. Stun guns Are Legal: There are no state laws prohibiting the manufacture, sale or possession of a Taser, stun gun or any other non-lethal weapon in the state.
2. No license is required to carry a stun gun: While some counties, such as Pierce County ban their use, there’s no legal requirement to obtain a license to carry a stun gun in the state of Washington.
3. No registration is required to own a stun gun: Residents in Washington are not required to register their stun guns under any circumstances.
4. Minors cannot possess stun guns: So far the stun gun laws in Washington state do not have any provision for issuing permits or licenses. For this reason it is important to note that there may be provisions in Washington laws, or that county and city regulations may prohibit minors from possessing or using stun guns.