Are Tasers Legal in Wyoming? What You Should Know

Tasers can make a great choice for a self-defense weapon if you’re uncomfortable with a firearm or if you just don’t want to go through the hassle of getting permitted to carry one in some states.

Unfortunately, it turns out that tasers can be heavily regulated too, and believe it or not, they still aren’t legal in every U.S. state… How about in Wyoming? Are tasers legal in Wyoming?

Yes, tasers are completely legal to possess and carry for self-defense in Wyoming, and no concealed weapons permit is necessary. However, it’s illegal to carry a taser with any unlawful intent.

Pretty straightforward. Wyoming is a state that is not really big on superfluous laws, and luckily that holds up just the same when it comes to tasers as with other weapons.

You can easily purchase and carry a taser or a stun gun in Wyoming with no additional hang-ups or hassles, and you won’t need a concealed weapons permit to do it.

This is great news if you think a taser is the right option for you! There’s still a little bit more you’ll want to know, however, so keep reading and I’ll tell you all about it.

How are Tasers Classified in Wyoming?

Tasers don’t have a specific definition under the state statutes, but they could fit under the definition of “deadly weapon,” which Wyoming defines as any device or instrument which in the manner it is used or intended to be used is reasonably capable of producing death or serious bodily injury.

I know that most folks who aren’t educated on the subject believe that tasers are strictly non-lethal devices, but the reality is that they are capable of inflicting serious bodily injury, and sometimes death! Accordingly, tasers certainly fit under the statutory definition of deadly weapon even if case law has them classified as something else.

Make sure you read the relevance definitions in 6 – 1 – 104 for yourself.

6-1-104. Definitions.

…

(iv) “Deadly weapon” means but is not limited to a firearm, explosive or incendiary material, motorized vehicle, an animal or other device, instrument, material or substance, which in the manner it is used or is intended to be used is reasonably capable of producing death or serious bodily injury;

…

(x) “Serious bodily injury” means bodily injury which:

(A) Creates a substantial risk of death;

(B) Causes severe protracted physical pain;

(C) Causes severe disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of a bodily function;

(D) Causes unconsciousness or a concussion resulting in protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ or mental faculty;

(E) Causes burns of the second or third degree over a significant portion of the body; or

(F) Causes a significant fracture or break of a bone.

…

Are Stun Guns Legal in Wyoming?

Yes, stun guns are completely legal in Wyoming.

It should be noted that the state law makes no overt distinction between stun guns and tasers, but for practical purposes the two are quite different.

Stun guns use a set of electrodes built into the front of the device which can then be jabbed into the target when switched on in order to shock them.

Contrast this with tasers which fire out their electrodes as a set of dart-like probes, probes which are attached to wires trailing back to the launcher and through which the electricity will flow into the target.

Not trying to be pedantic, but it is important to understand the differences between the two because some state statutes have distinct definitions for these two devices, so keep an eye out for that.

Can You Carry a Taser Openly in Wyoming?

Yes, you can. Open carry of a Taser or stun gun is legal in Wyoming so long as you are not prohibited from possessing the device. Notably, possessing a Taser or stun gun with any intent to threaten the life or physical well-being of another person, or to commit assault, is a felony.

See 6-8-103 for more.

6-8-103. Possession, manufacture or disposition of deadly weapon with unlawful intent; penalties.

A person who knowingly possesses, manufactures, transports, repairs or sells a deadly weapon with intent to unlawfully threaten the life or physical well-being of another or to commit assault or inflict bodily injury on another is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than five (5) years, a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), or both.

Can You Carry a Taser Concealed?

Yes, you can. Is legal to carry a taser or stun gun concealed in Wyoming, with no permit necessary, according to 6-8-104. Note that this assumes you are not a prohibited person and that you are at least 21 years old, along with other restrictions pertaining to your criminal background and mental capacity. More on that in the following sections, but we will refer back to this statute, partially transcribed here, below.

6-8-104. Wearing or carrying concealed weapons; penalties; exceptions; permits.

(a) A person who wears or carries a concealed deadly weapon is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six (6) months, or both for a first offense, or a felony punishable by a fine of not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000.00), imprisonment for not more than two (2) years, or both, for a second or subsequent offense, unless:

(…)

(ii) The person possesses a permit under this section;

(iii) The person holds a valid permit authorizing him to carry a concealed firearm authorized and issued by a governmental agency or entity in another state that recognizes Wyoming permits and is a valid statewide permit; or

(iv) The person does not possess a permit issued under this section, but is a resident of the United States and otherwise meets the requirements specified in paragraphs (b)(ii) through (vi), (viii) and (ix) of this section and possession of the firearm by the person is not otherwise unlawful.

(b)(ii) Is at least twenty-one (21) years of age;

(iii) Does not suffer from a physical infirmity which prevents the safe handling of a firearm;

(iv) Is not ineligible to possess a firearm pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 922(g) or W.S. 6-8-102;

(vi) (…)

…

(viii) Is not currently adjudicated to be legally incompetent; and

(ix) Has not been committed to a mental institution.

…

How Old Do You Have to Be to Have a Taser in Wyoming?

You need to be at least 18 years old or older to possess a taser or stun gun, and 21 to carry it concealed.

What Do You Need to Do to Purchase a Taser in Wyoming?

Buying a taser or a stun gun in Wyoming is incredibly straightforward…

All you need to do is find a dealer that has them in stock, pay for it, and you are good to go. No background checks are required by the state, although depending on the dealer it might be required if you are buying an actual taser.

In any case, the personal identifying information of a taser purchaser is it recorded and sent to the company so that they can database it for crime prevention purposes, and that’s because each taser and each cartridge is serialized to the user.

Also, Wyoming forbids the possession of a taser by anyone who is ineligible to possess a firearm according to federal law, anyone who has a felony or serious misdemeanor crime on their background, anyone who has committed any crime of domestic violence, or anyone who is currently addicted to alcohol or other drugs.

There are other disqualifying factors, so make sure you read through section 6-8-104 for yourself.

Is Training Mandatory for Taser Ownership in Wyoming?

No. You will not have to undergo any kind of training in order to purchase, possess or conceal a taser in Wyoming. A concealed weapons permit is not required in order to carry a taser openly or concealed.

Where Can You Carry a Taser in Wyoming?

You can carry a taser anywhere that weapons can lawfully go. As a rule, you cannot carry your taser into any courthouse or courtroom, into any government building or office, that includes the post office for the record.

You also can’t take it into the secured area of any airport or other sensitive installation, or into any school where you don’t have the explicit permission of the faculty to do so or in any other case where it is allowed by law.

When Can You Use a Taser to Defend Yourself in Wyoming?

Wyoming is very permissive when it comes to taser ownership and possession, but that doesn’t mean they are liberal when it comes to when you can use your taser on someone else.

Unlawful use of a taser, or using one as a disproportionate force against unlawful force being used against you, could see you criminally charged.

Really the only time you want to use your taser against someone else is when you are in genuine fear of death or great bodily injury.

That’s because tasers, despite having a much friendlier reputation compared to firearms, can still inflict substantial injury and you should know that they have killed people in the past although this is rare.

For that reason, the use of a taser is no laughing matter!