Stun Guns Laws and Regulations in Illinois
In most states, the use of stun guns is permitted for home protection, although many of the states place harsh restrictions on them outside of the home, often prohibiting a person to carry or possess them in public.
In 2005, Gov. Blagojevich signed into law Senate Bill 1962, which states that for an individual to own a stun gun or TASER, they must first have a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card (FOID), making Illinois the first state to do so.
Consequently, in the state of Illinois, while the use of stun guns is legal, the legality of them comes with restrictions. The Illinois State Police state under the Criminal Code of 1961, Article 24, Section 2(a)(1) that “No person may require or possess any firearm, stun gun, or Taser within this State without having in his or her possession a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card previously issued in his or her name by the Department of State Police under the provisions of this Act.”
Anyone residing in Illinois who owns or plans to own a stun gun or TASER must first obtain an FOID. According to figures on the Illinois State Police website, February saw just over 56,000 residents sending in applications to obtain FOIDs, making it a new record since 2006 when the earliest records were posted.
If you are a resident living in Illinois or thinking about moving to the state and are interested in finding out about your protection rights, it will be worthwhile contacting your local police department to discuss with them the information you need to know. At the moment the Illinois State Police Firearms Services Bureau is experiencing a record number of applications each month.
If you intend to phone them be prepared to provide your full name, date of birth and your 8-digit number stamped on the front of your cashed check. However, if you completed your application through a reputable firearms dealer/store, you should contact them to obtain a range of numbers association with your application.
