Stun Guns/Tasers & Pepper Spray/Gel Restrictions FAQ

States with Restrictions on Pepper Spray/Gel

These states allow pepper spray but have specific regulations:

• California – Cannot exceed 2.5 oz per canister.
• Florida – Cannot exceed 2 oz per canister.
• Hawaii –
  • Must be purchased from a licensed dealer.
  • Cannot exceed 0.5 oz.
  • Only OC spray (oleoresin capsicum) is legal.
• Illinois –
  • Only residents aged 18+ can purchase.
  • Cannot be carried in schools, government buildings, or public transit.
• Massachusetts –
  • Must be purchased from a licensed firearms dealer.
  • Previously required an FID card, but that was removed in 2014.
• Michigan –
  • Maximum 18% OC concentration.
  • Cannot exceed 1.2 oz.
  • No CN or CS tear gas allowed.
• New Jersey –
  • Cannot exceed 0.75 oz.
  • Must be for self-defense only.
• New York –
  • Must be purchased in-state from a licensed pharmacist or firearms dealer.
  • Cannot be mailed from out of state.
• North Carolina – Cannot exceed 5 oz.
• South Carolina – Cannot exceed 2 oz.
• Washington D.C. –
  • Must be registered with D.C. police.
  • Cannot be used against law enforcement.

States Where Pepper Spray/Gel is Illegal

• None – Pepper spray/gel is legal in all 50 states, but some have restrictions (as listed above).

States with Restrictions on Stun Guns & Tasers

These states allow them but have specific regulations:

• Connecticut –

  • Legal only for home defense.
  • Cannot be carried in public.

• Delaware –

  • Must be 21+ to purchase.
  • Illegal for felons and those with domestic violence convictions.

• Illinois –

  • Requires a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card to purchase.
  • Must pass a background check.
  • Carrying requires a concealed carry permit.

• Indiana –

  • Requires a license to carry a stun gun or Taser.

• Iowa –

  • Must have a permit to carry a stun gun or Taser.

• Maryland –

  • Cannot be possessed by felons or people convicted of violent crimes.

• Massachusetts –

  • Requires a firearms license to purchase and carry.

• Michigan –

  • Tasers are legal only for those with a CPL (Concealed Pistol License).
  • Stun guns and Tasers must have "identification and tracking information".

• Minnesota –

  • Must be 18+ to purchase.

• New Jersey –

  • Must be 18+ to purchase.

• New York –

  • Tasers and stun guns were illegal until 2019 but are now legal for self-defense only.

• North Carolina –

  • Cannot be carried on school property.

• Rhode Island –

  • Must be 18+ to purchase.

• Tennessee –

  • Felons cannot possess stun guns or Tasers.

• Wisconsin –

  • Requires a concealed carry permit.

States Where Stun Guns & Tasers Are Illegal

• Hawaii – Completely illegal.
• Rhode Island – Completely illegal (although legal challenges are ongoing).
• Washington D.C. – Used to be illegal but was legalized in 2017, with some restrictions.