When it involves self-defense in America, handguns rule the roost, but they aren’t the one option. For those wanting something that’s a little bit less final, or when a firearm just isn’t the precise selection, tasers could be an intriguing alternative… They can afford you some range, and still have impressive effectiveness after they work as advertised.
But despite being considerably less dangerous and lethal than firearms, they still aren’t legal in every state, if you happen to can imagine it. How about Mississippi? Are Tasers legal there?
Yes, tasers and stun guns are legal in Mississippi. However, if you should carry them anywhere in public you’ll should have a concealed weapons permit. There is not any provision for public possession of a taser unless you’re exempted.
Kind of puzzling considering how pro-gun, overall, Mississippi is that they’d install such an onerous statute concerning Tasers specifically.
It isn’t too bad, nevertheless it is a few red tape that you just just shouldn’t should put up with. If you should taser, you’ll should get that let. There’s quite a bit more to know concerning the Mississippi State statutes concerning tasers and stun guns, so keep reading.
How are Tasers Classified in Mississippi?
Tasers are legally categorized as “stun guns” under the Mississippi State statutes, but don’t let that confuse you.
Mississippi defines a “stun gun” as any portable device or weapon from which an electrical current or impulse could be directed, and is able to incapacitating or stunning an individual temporarily. Definitely seems like it matches the outline for a taser!
You can read the precise text of Mississippi’s definition for yourself below in 45-9-101 which has quite a bit to do with stun guns and other personal weapons generally.
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Are Stun Guns Legal in Mississippi?
Yes, stun guns are legal in Mississippi. I would like to clear this up since it’s going to get confusing fast otherwise:
When it involves electroshock weapons, there are two basic types: stun guns and tasers. Tasers fire the darts or probes that trail wires back to the launching unit, whereas stun guns don’t and only shock when in direct contact. Practically speaking, two various things.
Both of those devices are lumped under the blanket definition of stun gun in Mississippi, but I might be referring to them by their proper designators throughout this text.
Knowing that, yes, traditional stun guns are also legal in Mississippi but under the identical statutes that tasers are. No exceptions, so do not forget that as you read on…
Can You Carry a Taser Openly?
Yes, but only with a concealed weapons permit. Even possessing a taser or stun gun in public requires the carrier to have a permit. See the following section for more…
Can You Carry a Taser Concealed?
Yes, but you have got to have a concealed weapons permit to achieve this. As with the section preceding this one, to even possess a taser or stun gun in public you’ve got to have that let, so when you do it’s your selection whether you should carry concealed or openly.
I understand it sounds strange, but read the precise text of 45-9-101 for yourself below: notice how paragraph 1.a talks concerning the issuance of licenses for the carry of stun guns, and concealed pistols or revolvers? It’s for stun guns and tasers generally, not only concealed ones!
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Are there Age Restrictions on Taser Ownership or Possession in Mississippi?
Yes. You’ll should be at the least 21 years old in an effort to obtain your concealed weapons permit to legally carry a taser in public, although if you happen to are within the armed forces you’ll be able to get the identical permit on the age of 18.
What Do You Need to Do to Purchase a Taser in Mississippi?
If you should buy a taser or stun gun in Mississippi you’ll need to go to a dealer where these devices are sold, and follow their instructions…
Note that you just don’t should have a permit merely in an effort to purchase the taser or stun gun, but you have to it if you happen to’re going to own it anywhere outside of your property or other private property.
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Is Training Mandatory for Taser Ownership in Mississippi?
No, not for ownership, but you’ll should get trained to the usual in Mississippi if you should get a concealed weapons permit which is able to can help you be in possession of the taser while away from private property or your property.
Where Can You Carry a Taser?
You can carry a taser in most places throughout Mississippi, but note that they’re subject to the entire same laws that firearms are in terms of prohibited locations.
For starters, you can’t carry your taser into any police, sheriff or highway patrol station or facility, into any courthouse including a courthouse annex, into any form of school or on school property and that features school buses and other conveyances, or into any polling place.
You also cannot carry a Taser into anywhere of nuisance, into any government meeting whether or not it’s open to the general public or into any premises that has posted signage against the carrying of pistols or other weapons. Those signs have the force of law in Mississippi!
There are many other places besides, so be sure that you read the total Mississippi State statutes for yourself or seek the advice of with a knowledgeable self-defense attorney.
When Can You Use a Taser to Defend Yourself in Mississippi?
Tasers should only be used against another person in Mississippi for legitimate self-defense. Particularly, you must only deploy your Taser or stun gun and get someone if you happen to are in real fear in your life or in fear of great bodily injury.
This is because tasers themselves can inflict considerable injury and even death, so using them against one other person is a major increase in force in comparison with something like pepper spray.
