Stun Gun

[Nataliee]

Hi , My friend wants to know if they can carry a stun gun around in their bag or in a car for self-defence reasons,in California?

[Samuel]

CALIFORNIA PENAL CODE
SECTION 12650-12655

12650. "Stun gun" as used in this chapter means any item, except a
less lethal weapon, as defined in Section 12601, used or intended to
be used as either an offensive or defensive weapon that is capable of
temporarily immobilizing a person by the infliction of an electrical
charge.

12651. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person may
purchase, possess, or use a stun gun, subject to the following
requirements:
(a) No person convicted of a felony or any crime involving an
assault under the laws of the United States, of the State of
California, or any other state, government, or country or convicted
of misuse of a stun gun under Section 244.5, shall purchase, possess,
or use stun guns.
(b) No person who is addicted to any narcotic drug shall purchase,
possess, or use a stun gun.
(c) No person shall sell or furnish any stun gun to a minor unless
the minor is at least 16 years of age and has the written consent of
his or her parent or legal guardian.
Violation of this subdivision shall be a public offense punishable
by a fifty dollar ($50) fine for the first offense. Any subsequent
violation of this subdivision is a misdemeanor.
(d) No minor shall possess any stun gun unless the minor is at
least 16 years of age and has the written consent of his or her
parent or legal guardian.

12652. Each stun gun sold shall contain both of the following:
(a) The name of the manufacturer stamped on the stun gun.
(b) The serial number applied by the manufacturer.

12653. Unless otherwise specified, any violation of this article is
a misdemeanor.

12654. Each stun gun sold in this state shall be accompanied by an
instruction booklet.
Violation of this section shall be a public offense punishable by
a fifty dollar ($50) fine for each weapon sold without the booklet.

12655. Any person who sells a less lethal weapon, as defined in
Section 12601, to a person under the age of 18 years is guilty of a
misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for up to
six months or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars
($1,000), or by both that imprisonment and fine.


CALIFORNIA PENAL CODE

244.5. (a) As used in this section, "stun gun" means any item,
except a less lethal weapon, as defined in Section 16780, used or
intended to be used as either an offensive or defensive weapon that
is capable of temporarily immobilizing a person by the infliction of
an electrical charge.
(b) Every person who commits an assault upon the person of another
with a stun gun or less lethal weapon, as defined in Section 16780,
shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for a term not
exceeding one year, or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of
Section 1170 for 16 months, two, or three years.
(c) Every person who commits an assault upon the person of a peace
officer or firefighter with a stun gun or less lethal weapon, as
defined in Section 16780, who knows or reasonably should know that
the person is a peace officer or firefighter engaged in the
performance of his or her duties, when the peace officer or
firefighter is engaged in the performance of his or her duties, shall
be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not
exceeding one year, or by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of
Section 1170 for two, three, or four years.
(d) This section shall not be construed to preclude or in any way
limit the applicability of Section 245 in any criminal prosecution.

Also check the local municipal (city and county) codes...