Is it legal to own a stun gun in the UK?

Answer 1

HM Revenue & Customs helps to protect society from the threat of weapons in the same way it tackles drugs offences - by stopping illegal imports as they come into the country.

British law has always been very strict about who can own or move firearms, ammunition and explosives[]. . .

It is against the law to import:

• High voltage electric 'stun guns'.
• Pepper sprays, CS gas canisters and other self defence sprays.
• High-powered air rifles.
• Martial Arts weapons such as death stars and swordsticks.
• Knives that have a concealed blade or a sharp point such as belt buckle blades.

Importation is illegal and is normally dealt with in Magistrates court. Importation AND possession is often dealt with at Crown court.

Magistrates can fine and imprison up to 6 months. Crown court can result in up to 7 years imprisonment. . .

Answer 2

Yes they are legal in most states except for a few.

They are illegal or have some restrictions in the following States:

• HAWAII
• ILLINOIS
• Massachusetts
• MICHIGAN
• New Jersey
• NEW YORK
• Rhode Island
• WISCONSIN

Answer 3

Because they can be used by criminals to carry out acts of violence, robbery or assault.

In the UK, only the police are permitted to use stun guns ('Tasers' as they are known) to subdue violent offenders when called out to emergency incidents. We in the UK have a different approach to private ownership of weaponry than applies in the United States- in the US, the argument is that permitting a person to possess something like a stun gun is a legitimate means of protecting them from attack. In the UK, we tend to think that the best way of preventing violent crime is to minimise the amount of weaponry available to a potential criminal in the first place.

It all boils down to the fact that our respective cultural histories are very different- the USA has always had a gun culture, which dates from it's colonial and pioneering settler origins and the days of the 'Wild West'. Britain, by comparison, is a much older nation, measuring it's history in tens of thousands of years rather than in a few Centuries. We have thus had far more time to develop a different approach to the way we believe society should function.

Answer 4

No, they are illegal, you would have to apply for a very special license for a very good reason, The British are not and never have been a gun culture.

Answer 5

no. its classed as an offensive weapon and as yet does not have a weapon licence classification outside the forces.

Answer 6

It is illegal for a citizen to carry a Taser in the UK.

Answer 7

Absolutely not.

Answer 8

Stun guns are illegal in England.

Answer 9

It is possible