Can You Bring a Taser on a Plane?

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) only allows you to bring a taser or stun gun on a plane in checked baggage as long as you are sure there’s no chance of an accidental discharge. 

You can never carry stun guns in your hand luggage. 

Can I Bring a Stun Gun on a Plane?

You can not bring any electroshock weapons, like stun guns, in your carry-on luggage. 

However, you can carry one in a checked bag if you have properly disarmed it. 

So, you can bring a stun gun with you for self-defense purposes if you pack it correctly. 

Can I Bring Stun Guns on International Flights?

Yes, you can put a stun gun in your checked baggage for an international flight. 

But, you must follow the rules for dangerous weapons in the country or state you are entering. 

For example, the following countries do not allow their citizens to carry tasers or other conducted electrical weapons, even for self-defense: 

  • Australia 
  • India 
  • New Zealand 
  • Belgium
  • Denmark 
  • Japan
  • Norway 
  • Sweden 
  • Switzerland 
  • United Kingdom

So, in these countries, you shouldn’t bring tasers because even if you have them in your checked baggage, a customs officer will later confiscate them. 

Also, remember that you need to follow local laws in the area you are visiting. 

For instance, in the US states of Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana, you need a dangerous weapons permit to have a stun gun. 

Similarly, unlawful use of a taser is a Class C Felony in some states because a stun gun delivers painful stopping power.   

Other Laws That Regulate Tasers

In some countries and states, only certain people can not carry a taser. 

Usually, those who can not carry a taser in these areas are people who have a history of severe mental illness or have committed a felony or a violent juvenile offense. 

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What if My Taser Uses Lithium Batteries?

If your taser uses lithium batteries, you can still bring it in your checked luggage. 

You can have these batteries in your checked luggage, but you must turn them off and ensure there is no way they will accidentally turn back on during the flight. 

However, if you want to bring spare batteries, you have to have them in your carry-on bag. 

The reason you can’t have these batteries in your checked bags is that they can and have exploded or caught fire on planes. 

So, if you have them in carry-on baggage, a flight attendant can take care of the fire immediately. 

And, because you have to have your taser deactivated when you fly anyways, it’s best just to put all your batteries in your carry-on. 

Finally, you should know that if your stun gun simply plugs into the wall and, thus, uses an internal rechargeable battery, it probably contains a lithium battery. 

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Can I Bring Other Defense Equipment on a Plane?

For the most part, you can not have defense items in your carry-on bags because they may pose a danger to other passengers and the flight crew. 

Yet, you can have many of these objects in checked bags. 

For example, you can have up to 118 ml of standard pepper spray in your checked bag as long as you have locked the safety mechanism. 

But, you can pack most snatch prevention technology, like luggage locks and security belts, in any bag, even in cabin baggage. 

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What if I Have a Concealed Carry Permit?

Even if you have a permit, you still can’t take the taser onto the plane.

Also, a police officer or TSA agent can still confiscate your taser. 

An officer may even subject you to a firearms seizure order, even if you have a permit, meaning that they take your weapon until you can appear in court. 

The Final Decision Rests With the TSA Officer

Although you can bring a taser in a checked bag if you have rendered the device inoperable to prevent accidental discharge, an officer can still confiscate it. 

So, since the ultimate decision lies with the TSA officer, there’s no guarantee that your taser will make it to its final destination.