The United States is the freest country on Earth when it comes to self-defense. But, one of the eccentricities of our great nation is that each and every state has its own set of laws that govern what you can carry, and just as importantly where and when you can carry it.
Guns, knives and even pepper sprays are all regulated. But what about something like a taser?
This is one defensive tool that’s commonly overlooked, and though they are more available than they’ve ever been, they still aren’t legal everywhere.
How about Louisiana? Are tasers legal in Louisiana?
Yes, tasers are completely legal in Louisiana to purchase, possess and openly carry, but you need a concealed weapons permit to carry one concealed.
Tasers have been legal in Louisiana for a while, but they’ve had sort of a rocky disposition across the state.
Various municipalities and most notably New Orleans banned them entirely, although in recent years, those restrictions have been relaxed considerably or dropped totally.
That’s great news for citizens of Louisiana who want a taser for personal protection. Even so, there is plenty you’ll want to know concerning the ownership and possession of tasers in the state. I’ll tell you more below.
How are Tasers Classified in Louisiana?
Tasers don’t really have a specific classification at the state level in Louisiana. But, despite them being less lethal weapons, are still capable of inflicting death or great bodily injury from time to time the definitions under 14:2 for dangerous weapons and serious bodily injury are informative.
Check them out for yourself below, and like I mentioned above be sure that you investigate the local regulations and laws concerning tasers, stun guns and similar weapons in any county or city that you live in, work in or visit.
RS 14:2 – Definitions
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(3) “Dangerous weapon” includes any gas, liquid or other substance or instrumentality, which, in the manner used, is calculated or likely to produce death or great bodily harm.
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C. For purposes of this Title, “serious bodily injury” means bodily injury which involves unconsciousness; extreme physical pain; protracted and obvious disfigurement; protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental faculty; or a substantial risk of death.
For purposes of R.S. 14:403, “serious bodily injury” shall also include injury resulting from starvation or malnutrition.
Are Stun Guns Legal in Louisiana?
Yes, stun guns are legal in Louisiana so long as you may legally be in possession of the device and the device itself is legal.
Can You Carry a Taser Openly in Louisiana?
Yes, you can open carry a taser or stun gun legally in Louisiana.
Can You Carry a Taser Concealed in Louisiana?
Yes, you can. Concealed carry of tasers in Louisiana is legal with a concealed weapons permit.
Are there Age Restrictions on Taser Ownership or Possession in Louisiana?
Yes. You have to be at least 18 years old or older to possess or purchase a taser or stun gun in Louisiana.
If you want to conceal carry your taser, you’ll have to be 21 because that’s how old you have to be to get a concealed weapons permit.
What Do You Need to Do to Purchase a Taser in Louisiana?
If you want to buy a taser you simply need to find a dealer of such devices and follow their instructions.
This will usually entail the dealer recording your personal information and ID, and sometimes running a background check.
You can legally possess a taser in Louisiana as long as you don’t have any felonies or misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence on your record, or any other sort of crime which would result in imprisonment lasting longer than one year.
Similarly, you cannot be a juvenile delinquent who’s under the age of 25, adjudicated mentally defective or involuntarily committed, and several other disqualifying factors besides.
But so long as you are a certified good guy or good gal, you can legally purchase and possess a taser in Louisiana.
Is Training Mandatory for Taser Ownership in Louisiana?
No, although the state and many cities like Louisiana strongly encourage it for anyone who wants to possess and carry a taser.
You won’t need to undergo any special training simply to buy and keep a taser in your possession, but you will need to obtain a Louisiana concealed weapons permit, and complete the requisite training, if you want to carry it concealed.
Where Can You Carry It?
You can carry a taser most places in Louisiana, but you will need to pay attention to posted no-weapons signage on businesses and other venues because they do have the force of law.
It is unclear whether or not tasers are specifically affected by such signage, but you are better safe than sorry.
Additionally, you cannot carry your taser into any government building, into any police station or sheriff’s office, into a courthouse or into any school or on any school property, including a school bus.
And the latter case, if you have explicit permission from the school’s administrator you may carry your taser on school property.
And, as usual, you cannot take your taser with you into the secured area beyond the checkpoint at an airport or seaport, or into any other sensitive installation.
RS 1495.2 has more.
RS 14:95.2 – Carrying a firearm or dangerous weapon by a student or nonstudent on school property, at school-sponsored functions, or in a firearm-free zone
A. Carrying a firearm, or dangerous weapon as defined in R.S. 14:2, by a student or nonstudent on school property, at a school sponsored function, or in a firearm-free zone is unlawful and shall be defined as possession of any firearm or dangerous weapon, on one’s person, at any time while on a school campus, on school transportation, or at any school sponsored function in a specific designated area including but not limited to athletic competitions, dances, parties, or any extracurricular activities, or within one thousand feet of any school campus.
B. For purposes of this Section, the following words have the following meanings:
(1) “Campus” means all facilities and property within the boundary of the school property.
(2) “Nonstudent” means any person not registered and enrolled in that school or a suspended student who does not have permission to be on the school campus.
(3) “School” means any elementary, secondary, high school, vocational-technical school, college, or university in this state.
(4) “School bus” means any motor bus being used to transport children to and from school or in connection with school activities.
When Can You Use a Taser to Defend Yourself in Louisiana?
The only time you can use a taser to lawfully protect yourself in Louisiana is when you’re being threatened with unlawful force, and specifically unlawful force that might result in great bodily injury or death.
Tasers are often thought of as non-lethal tools, but the truth is they are properly categorized as less lethal weapons, meaning one that is less likely but still capable of inflicting great bodily harm or causing death.
Accordingly, anytime you deploy your taser it is going to be really serious business with serious consequences, so you’ve got to be in the right.
You must never use your taser as a prank, to settle an argument, or to return an insult. Doing so will result in serious criminal charges against you, including aggravated battery or worse.
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.