Stun Gun Laws for West Virginia

Stun Guns

Stun guns are hand-held, battery-powered devices that deliver an electric shock to a person when the metal prongs at the end of the device come in contact with the person's body and the trigger is pulled. Though these devices are commonly called TASERs, the name of a company that produces similar devices, the devices are slightly different; a TASER can be used at a distance, but a stun gun requires personal contact with the target. The pulsing current of a stun gun disorients the person it is used against and causes considerable pain. However, these devices typically do not cause permanent damage to the target. Thus, laws often treat them differently from other types of weapons.

Deadly Weapons

Under West Virginia laws, stun guns are not included in the definition of "deadly weapons" regulated by the state. Section 61-7-2 of West Virginia Code defines deadly weapons as instruments designed to produce serious bodily injury or death or readily acceptable for such use. Since stun guns and TASERs are not designed to produce bodily injury or death -- only to disable an attacker -- they are not regulated by the state. Thus, legal restrictions that apply to firearms and other deadly weapons do not apply to stun guns or TASERs.

Permits

Because stun guns are not deadly weapons, owners do not have to obtain permits to own them. But other types of weapons may require a concealed carry permit under West Virginia law. A concealed carry permit requires a weapon owner to file an application with his local sheriff, pay a fee, pass a background check and take a training course. Applicants cannot have been convicted of certain crimes, and they must be physically and mentally competent to carry a gun.

Other States

Several states restrict stun guns, and some cities have their own local restrictions. For example, stun guns and TASERs are not permitted for consumer use in Hawaii and the District of Columbia, and Connecticut allows them for in-home use only. Every state allows stun guns and TASERs for law enforcement use, but a handful do not extend that authority to private security guards. Some other countries, such as Canada, also restrict stun guns.