Tasers can be a worthwhile defensive tool if you don’t want a firearm but you still need more range than pepper spray or a knife. Considering that they’ve been in use with police and security forces for decades now, there’s no reason why they can’t work for a civilian…
The trouble is that tasers still, even in the current year, aren’t legal everywhere and every state where they are legal has its own set of laws covering them. Let’s look at Wisconsin. Are Tasers legal in Wisconsin?
Yes, tasers are legal to purchase in Wisconsin, but you’ve got to have a concealed weapons permit to take it anywhere except your own home or place of business. The only other exception is if you have the device securely encased while transporting it.
This is definitely a downer when you compare Wisconsin to many of the other states surrounding it where tasers are freely available and free to carry by responsible citizens.
Regrettably, you’ll have to spend even more money and sit through a firearms training course if you want to get your permit so you can legally tote your taser with you and have it when you need it. I’ll tell you more about Wisconsin’s taser laws below.
How are Tasers Classified in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, tasers are classed as “electric weapons,” which the state defines as any device designed, redesigned or used offensively or defensively to immobilize a person via electric current.
Read the definition for yourself in 941.295 below.
941.295 Possession of electric weapon.
(1c) In this section:
(a) “Electric weapon” means any device which is designed, redesigned, used or intended to be used, offensively or defensively, to immobilize or incapacitate persons by the use of electric current.
Are Stun Guns Legal in Wisconsin?
Yes, stun guns are legal in Wisconsin and are classified as “electric weapons” the same as tasers. Unfortunately, this means they are subject to all of the same restrictions as tasers are which we will discuss in the following sections.
But for clarity, a stun gun is any electric weapon that does not fire its electrodes or darts at the target which are connected to the firing unit via wires. Tasers, on the other hand, are just that.
Can You Openly Carry a Taser in Wisconsin?
Yes, you can but only if you have a concealed weapons permit for the purpose. This is because Wisconsin law forbids the carrying of any electric weapon, taser or stun gun, anywhere else except your home or business if you don’t have a concealed weapons permit.
The only exception to this, assuming you are not an exempted person listed in 941.295, is if you are transporting the taser or stun gun and you have it securely encased and not on your person.
The following is just an excerpt from 941.295, but you definitely need to open and read the entirety of that statute for yourself once you’re done with this article.
941.295 Possession of electric weapon.
(1c) In this section:
…
(1m) Whoever sells, transports, manufactures, possesses or goes armed with any electric weapon is guilty of a Class H felony.
…
Can You Carry a Taser Concealed in Wisconsin?
Yes, but only if you have a concealed weapons permit or only if you are at your home or your place of business. Note that you cannot carry your taser or stun gun anywhere else outside of these two places without a concealed weapons permit.
Once again, 941.295 has the answers…
941.295 Possession of electric weapon.
(1c) In this section:
…
(2g) The prohibition in sub. (1m) on possessing or going armed with an electric weapon does not apply to any of the following:
(a) A licensee or an out-of-state licensee.
(b) An individual who goes armed with an electric weapon in his or her own dwelling or place of business or on land that he or she owns, leases, or legally occupies.
(c) An individual who has a license or permit issued under s. 440.26, who is on official duty, and who may carry a firearm under rules promulgated under s. 440.26 (3m).
(2r) The prohibition in sub. (1m) on transporting an electric weapon does not apply to any of the following:
(a) A licensee or an out-of-state licensee.
(b) An individual who is not a licensee or an out-of-state licensee who transports an electric weapon if the electric weapon is enclosed within a carrying case.
Are there Age Restrictions on Taser Ownership or Possession in Wisconsin?
Yes. You have to be at least 18 to purchase and possess a taser in any case, but you need to be 21 years old or older in order to carry it concealed, because that’s how old you have to be to get a concealed weapons permit in the state.
Remember, no concealed weapons permit and there’s no carrying your taser anywhere except your home or business, and going between the two your taser will need to be securely encased!
See section 948.60 for more.
948.60 Possession of a dangerous weapon by a person under 18.
(1) In this section, “dangerous weapon” means any firearm, loaded or unloaded; any electric weapon, as defined in s. 941.295 (1c) (a); metallic knuckles or knuckles of any substance which could be put to the same use with the same or similar effect as metallic knuckles; a nunchaku or any similar weapon consisting of 2 sticks of wood, plastic or metal connected at one end by a length of rope, chain, wire or leather; a cestus or similar material weighted with metal or other substance and worn on the hand; a shuriken or any similar pointed star-like object intended to injure a person when thrown; or a manrikigusari or similar length of chain having weighted ends.
(2)
(a) Any person under 18 years of age who possesses or goes armed with a dangerous weapon is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
(b) Except as provided in par. (c), any person who intentionally sells, loans or gives a dangerous weapon to a person under 18 years of age is guilty of a Class I felony.
…
What Do You Need to Do to Buy a Taser in Wisconsin?
Buying a taser in Wisconsin is pretty straightforward, at least. You just need to be at least 18 and have a clean background free of any felony charges, domestic violence charges, serious misdemeanors, and the like.
Contact a dealer that carries these devices, usually a gun shop, police supply store or security supply store, and follow their instructions.
However, you’ll only be able to lawfully possess the taser at your home or place of business as mentioned, and it’ll have to stay in its box even on the way home from the gun store.
Is Training Mandatory for Taser Ownership?
Yes and no. Training is not mandatory for purchasing or possession in the state, but you’ll have to complete the training requirements to obtain a valid Wisconsin concealed carry license if you want to carry your taser anywhere outside of your home or place of business legally, whether you are carrying it open or concealed.
This also entails a background check, associated fee and subsequent wait to get your permit in hand, so you won’t be able to knock this out all in one day. Plan accordingly if you have a serious need of a taser for self-defense.
Where Can You Carry a Taser in Wisconsin?
There are quite a few places that you cannot carry a taser or stun gun in the state, including:
- ❌ any state-owned building or property,
- ❌ any federal, local or state government office,
- ❌ into any courthouse or courtroom,
- ❌ or into any school of any kind, be it elementary, high school or college level.
Also, signs on any private property prohibiting the carry of weapons have the force of law behind them in Wisconsin, and they do apply to tasers if they specify no weapons generally.
Note that carrying a taser into any prohibited place in the state of Wisconsin will see you catch some pretty serious charges and get your taser taken away.
When is it Legal to Use a Taser for Self-Defense in Wisconsin?
The only time it is justifiable to use a taser against someone else in Wisconsin is if you are facing a legitimate threat against you, or someone else that you are willing to protect.
This must be an unlawful use of force and your use of a taser in self-defense must be proportional to that unlawful force.
Said another way, considering that tasers can inflict death or great bodily injury themselves, that’s the only sort of threat that you can justifiably use your taser against.
Never use your taser on someone as a prank or to settle an argument, and think twice before using it against someone who’s only committing simple battery/assault or verbally harassing you.
Tom Marlowe practically grew up with a gun in his hand, and has held all kinds of jobs in the gun industry: range safety, sales, instruction and consulting, Tom has the experience to help civilian shooters figure out what will work best for them.