Yes, stun guns are legal in Florida. Adults can buy, own, and carry a nonlethal stun gun for self-defense without a permit or license, and the law allows both concealed and open carry when the device is carried for personal protection. The main limits: convicted felons cannot possess one at all, children under 16 need adult supervision, several locations are off-limits, and using a stun gun to threaten or harm someone can bring felony charges.
Carrying a Stun Gun in Florida
You do not need a concealed-weapon license to carry a stun gun in your purse, pocket, or car. Florida’s concealed-carry statute exempts “a nonlethal stun gun or dart-firing stun gun or other nonlethal electric weapon or device that is designed solely for defensive purposes” when carried by a person for lawful self-defense.1Florida Senate. Florida Statutes 790.01 – Carrying of Concealed Weapons or Concealed Firearms
Open carry works the same way. Florida generally forbids openly carrying electric weapons, but it carves out an exception for nonlethal stun guns carried for self-defense.2Justia Law. Florida Statutes 790.053 – Open Carrying of Weapons Whether the device sits visibly on your belt or hidden in a bag, you are within your rights so long as the purpose is personal protection.
The phrase “designed solely for defensive purposes” is the pivot point. Carry a stun gun to protect yourself and the exceptions cover you. Carry one to threaten or harm someone and the standard weapon penalties apply.
Who Cannot Possess a Stun Gun
Two groups are barred outright.
Convicted felons. Florida flatly prohibits anyone convicted of a felony from owning or possessing any electric weapon or device. A felon caught with a stun gun commits a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine, even if the device was never used.3Justia Law. Florida Statutes 790.23 – Felons and Delinquents; Possession of Firearms, Ammunition, or Electric Weapons or Devices Unlawful The same ban reaches juvenile offenders under 24 whose delinquent act would have been a felony if committed by an adult. This catches many people by surprise; they assume the restriction only applies to firearms.
Minors under 16. A child under 16 may not use an electric weapon without adult supervision, and that adult needs the parent’s or guardian’s consent. An adult who knowingly lets an unsupervised child under 16 have a stun gun commits a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail or a $500 fine.4Justia Law. Florida Statutes 790.22 – Use of BB Guns, Air or Gas-Operated Guns, or Electric Weapons or Devices by Minor Under 16 Years of Age
Where You Cannot Bring One
The restricted-location list from Florida’s concealed-weapon-license statute reaches electric weapons too:
- Schools and career centers. Any elementary or secondary school facility, administration building, or career center. Possessing a stun gun on school property is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.5Justia Law. Florida Statutes 790.115 – Possessing or Discharging Weapons or Firearms at a School-Sponsored Event or on School Property
- Government buildings. Courthouses, polling places, police and sheriff stations, detention facilities, and meetings of legislative bodies or local governing boards.6Justia Law. Florida Statutes 790.06 – License to Carry Concealed Weapon or Concealed Firearm
- Bars. Any portion of an establishment primarily devoted to serving alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption.
- Airport sterile areas. Inside the passenger terminal past the security checkpoint.
Colleges and Universities
Campuses get their own rule. Florida bans weapons on college and university grounds generally, but registered students, employees, and faculty may carry a stun gun on campus if the device is nonlethal, designed solely for defensive purposes, and does not fire a dart or projectile.6Justia Law. Florida Statutes 790.06 – License to Carry Concealed Weapon or Concealed Firearm Contact stun guns are permitted on campus; dart-firing models like Tasers are not.
Federal Buildings
Federal property follows federal law. Knowingly bringing a dangerous weapon into a federal facility carries up to one year in prison, and up to two years for a federal court facility. If you bring the weapon intending to use it in a crime, the maximum rises to five years.7govinfo. 18 U.S.C. 930 – Possession of Firearms and Dangerous Weapons in Federal Facilities “Dangerous weapon” is defined broadly enough to reach stun guns.
Penalties for Unlawful Carry or Misuse
When the self-defense exception does not apply, unlawful concealed carry of an electric weapon is a first-degree misdemeanor: up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.1Florida Senate. Florida Statutes 790.01 – Carrying of Concealed Weapons or Concealed Firearms Unlawful open carry is a second-degree misdemeanor: up to 60 days in jail or a $500 fine.2Justia Law. Florida Statutes 790.053 – Open Carrying of Weapons The self-defense exception is broad enough that most everyday carry is lawful; these charges come into play when someone carries the device to intimidate or commit a crime.
Using a stun gun to threaten someone can support an aggravated assault charge if the device qualifies as a deadly weapon under the circumstances. Aggravated assault is a third-degree felony carrying up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.8Justia Law. Florida Statutes 784.021 – Aggravated Assault9Florida Senate. Florida Statutes Chapter 775 – Definitions; General Penalties; Registration of Convicted Felons Carrying a stun gun during a robbery escalates the charge to armed robbery, a first-degree felony with a maximum of 30 years in prison.10Florida Senate. Florida Statutes 812.13 – Robbery
Flying and Driving With a Stun Gun
The TSA bans stun guns from carry-on bags entirely. You can pack one in checked baggage, but the device must be rendered inoperable so it cannot accidentally discharge, typically by removing the battery or cartridge, and you must declare it to the airline at check-in.11Transportation Security Administration. Stun Guns/Shocking Devices Trying to bring one through a security checkpoint can draw a civil penalty ranging from $450 to $2,570.12Transportation Security Administration. Civil Enforcement
Florida’s permissive approach is not universal, and there is no federal safe-passage law that protects stun gun transport. The Firearm Owners Protection Act covers only firearms, not electric weapons.13Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 U.S. Code 926A – Interstate Transportation of Firearms If you drive or fly into a state that bans stun guns, you can be arrested under that state’s law regardless of your Florida rights. Check the laws of every state along your route before you travel, and when in doubt, leave the device at home.