MPDC web page update for stun guns

10. [DC] Stun guns now legal - it's better than nothing
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Sergeant Colin Hall with DC Metro Police sent this email to member Brian Sheaffer:

The MPD web page has been updated to reflect the changes in the stun gun law. Please review the below information which will explain the new law.

Stun Guns

· Any person 18 years of age or older may purchase or possess a stun gun.
· All persons possessing a stun gun may only use the weapon in the exercise of reasonable force in defense of person or property.
· Any person under 18 years of age may briefly possess a stun gun for self defense in response to an immediate threat of harm.
· No person except law enforcement officers shall possess a stun gun in the following locations: District government agencies/buildings; penal institutions and secure juvenile residential facilities or halfway houses; any children’s facility, preschool, or public or private elementary or secondary school; any building or grounds that have clearly posted a prohibition. Note: permission specific to an individual and occasion may be given to possess a stun gun on prohibited property.
· Any vendor that seeks to sell five (5) or more stun guns is prohibited from doing so without a stun gun endorsement on its basic business license, provided by the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. Information will be made available later on DCRA’s issuance of those licenses.

Stun guns have been included in the list of Class A contraband prohibited from being brought into penal institutions. “Stun gun” means any device designed or redesigned, made or remade, or readily converted or restored, and used or intended to be used offensively or defensively to immobilize or incapacitate a person by the use or electric current or audible, optical, or electromagnetic pulse.

Note, this has been moved from under destructive device (§7-2501.01(7)(D)).

Need to Know Penalties Reference

Note, penalty provisions for use of dangerous weapons while committing a crime are amended to include “stun guns” §22-4502(a).

Use of a stun gun may lead to assault charges.

There are no registration requirements for purchasing stun guns.

Any person convicted for possession of a stun gun in violation of the age and exercise of reasonable force restrictions listed above, may be sentenced to pay a fine of $2,500 or imprisoned for not more than one (1) year, or both.

Additional penalties for committing a crime armed with a stun gun may apply.

Any person convicted of bringing Class A contraband (e.g. stun guns) into a penal institution, may be sentenced to pay a fine of $25,000, or imprisoned not more than ten (10) years, or both. D.C. Official Code. Possession and sale: § 7-2502. Penalties: §7-2507.06; §22-4502; and Endorsement: §47-2851.03.

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