California legal term
stun gun in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “stun gun” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.
What does “stun gun” mean in California criminal law?
“stun gun” means any item, except a less lethal weapon, 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. (Cal. Penal Code § 17230)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.