What are the legal ramifications of using a taser on someone who enters my garage illegally?
815515
In short, you are not permitted to use excessive force to defend your property.  That being said, each jurisdiction, and even each judge, has a different idea of what "excessive force" is.  To be safe, you're better off contacting your local police department for advice.  They should be able to advice you on what could possibly be considered excessive force.\n\nIf someone actually has entered your home, you do have a right to defend your family and yourself.  You can arm yourself against an intruder, and if you feel threatened, you have a right to neutralize that threat, but only to a certain degree.\n\nThere is a big gray area around what is considered reasonable and what is considered excessive.  I would consult your local police department for advice.  They should be able to help you out in this situation.
770366
The Taser X26, which is the yellow taser many police departments carry, with a standard cartridge has a maximum range of 25 feet and an effective range of about 15 to 18 feet.  Taser makes a long range cartridge that extends the range to 30 or so feet.  In California a private citizen does not need a license to purchase or carry a taser.  You can go to most gun stores, watch a traning video, pay the $1000 a good taser costs and walk out with one.
545648
Well you are trespassing and if the owner feels that charges should be pressed I don't believe you would face serious charges just a warning not to return to the property.
1173675
His family, most likely, does NOT have a case. Granted, I cannot tell you exactly how the case is going to go because I do not know all the facts regarding the story. However, I can tell you what a CLASSIC Model Penal Code breaking and entering/burglary case would look like:\n\nIf someone breaks into the home where you live and has the intention of committing a felony then, technically by the law, you have the right to use serious or even deadly force to stop him. The basis for this defense is that when a person breaks into your home without your admittance and is there to commit a felony, the felony has already begun once the burglar stepped into your home. Felonies are dangerous crimes, since it may be assumed that when a person breaks into your home to steal your personal property, they may stop at nothing to get it and may even inflict serious bodily harm or death against you and your family living in the house.\n\nYour case is strong, because the burglar pointed a gun at you and you had a REASONABLE belief that he would inflict serious bodily harm or death on you. When someone points a gun at you, especially someone you don't know, it only seems logical that they will not hesitate to hurt you.\n\nAll you did was defend the lives of your family members and your home (often referred to in antique criminal law as your "castle") Looking at the facts as you have given them, you did what you had to do to protect the lives of your family members. Had the burglar killed you, they may have very well been defense-less.
969078
This is less a question of rights than of what kind of conduct the law allows.  Self-defense isn't generally spoken of as a "right" as such, but it's pretty much always allowed.\n\nIn this case, you were coming to the defense of someone you believed to be imminent danger of bodily injury.  In these cases, you are permitted to use any force against the assailant that you would be able to use if he were coming after you.  Now if you were somewhere else, you would probably have a "duty to retreat", but if you were on your own property, you probably don't have any such duty.  If he attacks you with a weapon, as he did with the pole, you can go after him, and aren't required to back down.\n\nRight now it looks like you've got a good case for trespassing, assault, etc.  If you contact a lawyer, he can initiate legal proceedings that will enable you to subpoena the DMV's records, find the person that did this, and sue him.  Assault is generally worth a few grand anyway, as is trespassing.  Again, get in touch with a lawyer.  He'll know the ins and outs of your particular jurisdiction.
701682
STUN GUNS ARE LEGAL! in most states.\n\nPlease do not confuse stun guns and Tasers - there are different laws for these very different weapons.  \n\nCheck with your local PD, but my favorite is the: \n\nLady Lite (600,000 volts of pain in a small / cute stun gun with a flash light - very nice) - CLICK THE LINK BELOW\n\nhttp://www.defensive-products.com/servlet/the-895/Scorpion-Lady-dsh-Lite-Stunner/Detail\n\nStun Gun Laws\nStates where stun devices are legal but with some restrictions: (click on the state name for more info) \n\nConnecticut - Legal for home use, carrying prohibited. \nFlorida - Legal, subject to restrictions. \nIllinois - Legal, subject to restrictions (Requires FID card). \nIndiana - Legal, subject to restrictions. \nNorth Carolina - Legal, subject to restrictions. \nNorth Dakota - Legal, subject to restrictions. \nOhio - Legal, subject to restrictions. \nWashington State - Legal, subject to restrictions. \nStates where stun devices are illegal: (Click on the state name for more info) \n\nHawaii \nMassachusetts \nMichigan \nNew Jersey \nNew York \nRhode Island \nWisconsin \nCities where stun devices are illegal: (Click on the city name for more info) \n\nAnnapolis, MD \nBaltimore, MD \nHoward County, MD \nChicago, IL \nDenison / Crawford County, IA (*According to Sheriff Tom Hogan*) \nDistrict Of Columbia \nPhiladelphia, PA \nCountries \n\nCanada \n\nBanned weapons include: mace, Nunchaku sticks, brass knuckles, belt-buckle knives, blowguns, stun guns, trigger enhancing devices, finger rings with blades, and spiked wristbands and collars. \n\nOther Counties we cannot ship to \n\nAUSTRALIA\nBELGIUM\nDENMARK\nHONG KONG\nINDIA (POLICE USE ONLY)\nITALY\nJAPAN\nNEW ZEALAND\nNORWAY\nSWEDEN\nSWITERLAND\nUNITED KINGDOM \n\nStun guns and chemical sprays will only be shipped to the USA
692302
1.) The rules governing the use/training with or certification with a Tazer (to include if it is required as part of employment) would be governed by the policy set by the Arkansas department of corrections and not by the states standards Commision.\n\n2.) The DOC policy does not appear to be available online at this time via the states website and would have to be research by hand at one of the facilities who should have a policy and proceedures manual readily available.\n\n3.) Tazer International - the makers of the device do not mandate a person be subjected to the device in order to be certified in it's use. However, it is common practice and normal department proceedure for most law enforcement and corrections facilities nationwide to mandate by policy that a employee must be subjected to the device (shot with it) in order to carry it in their job capacity.\n\n4.) The theory behind this practice is that when the device is used and an inmate or subject being arrested makes claims of incapacitation or other injury as a result of the tazer use, the officer that deployed the device will have a clear understanding of what effects or lack there of should and would be present. IN that way if a defendant or inmate makes a wild claim that is unlikely to be a cause of the tazer deployment it can be dismissed or reviewed with some level of skepticism depending on the circumstances.\n\n5.) Yes have no doubt that regardless of you calling it hurt, shock, surprise or whatever else you might define the feeling as. You will not like it and would never want it to happen again. (After having to be hit with it twice I do not feel any better about the how it feels)\n\n6.) Here are some phone numbers you can call and ask the policy question too, I would suggest that if your concerned about privacy or any other fall back from making such an inquiry that you either provide them another name or ask them politely if you can remain annonymous. I would recommend calling them in the order provided for best results.\n\nAdministrative Services:\nBenefits & Policy 870-850-8526\nAccreditation 870-267-6343\nAssistant Director 870-267-6241\nBoard of Correction 870-267-6754\n\nAlthough no information of use is provided here, the following links will carry you to the agencies you inquired about, additinonally the standards and policy for qualifications as governed by the commision does not indicate "corrections officers" and as such I cannot guarantee that the link provided applies to you in a correctional environment unless you are a sworn law enforcement officer:\nhttp://www.clest.org/clest_home.html -- Standards commission\nhttp://www.state.ar.us/doc/  - Arkansas Dept. of Corrections
356178
There are some states that the sale, purchase, use and possession of stun guns is illegal or restricted. My best bet is to ask your local law enforcement office and find out.\nCheck out this page: www.selfsecurityplus.com/stun-guns-laws.htm
878503
I would say it depends on your states laws on it. As some states its legal to carry mace (with being certified as a concelaed weapon or device )while others very illegal. I know in New Mexico, where I am it is currently legal to own one however if your ever stopped it is illegal to conceal any weapon. It must be out in the open and in any crossing with a officer you must notify them immediatly you are armed. I know though the state is currently working on a law for it and it has been talked either banning it from the public to carry or make persons take a class at there expense to carry one. Check with your district attorney or ask a peace officer in your area. The city Im in just recently banned the public (civilian) from carrying tasers in public, its kind of conflicting right now since its only a local ordinance made and some say it could conflict with the states statue soon to come out. I do know it is totally illegal to carry mace, weapons or tasers into military installations or have them on your person/car on a base.\n\nI do have experience and carry one on duty. I would say it is a good device however I think any joe shouldnt be able to carry one as it can also be deadly to some. To carry mine me and fellow officers had to take written tests, courses on proper uses, and proper situations to deploy it and then were tasered with  x-22 tasers to feel the effect as same we have to be maced once a year to carry it for certification. I know the classes we took here from a trained instruction person it took us all a month in training on its proper use and testing to ensure everyone was widely aware of its capabilities and effect, and again said what situations to properly use it in. We hardly use it unless the situation really needs it. The cops tv show you just see all the good situations they require it to be used where as I have only used it twice in a year, being the other guy had a gun or large knife. So I wouldnt just deploy it just because billy joe is fisting up.\n\nIm guessing you want one for self defense. I know most manufacturers, specially like Galls, GT, etc.  will NOT sell any x-22 type guns used by law enforcement to the public or any similiar. I know some companies sell to the public but ones sold to the public are not as good as a x-22 and very less effective, as I dont blame them for doing this. I wouldnt want the 17 year old Im about to confront with one either.\n\nBut call your district attorneys office or local pd and inquire it.
630422
call your local police dept. they can tell you the statutes on that.
177006
yes, but risky.  I would have just called the police.  Without evidence or witnesses, you could have been charged with theft...don't know your circumstances.
770711
OK - There is a huge difference between Taser and Stun Guns!\n\nThey are both legal in almost every state.  Check the reference below for more legal stuff.\n\nTasers - these pistol shaped devices manufactured by Taser Intl. fire two darts at ranges from 15 to 35 feet max depending on the cartridge used.  Civilian model (M-18) is limited to the 15 foot cartridge.  They use a high amperage so they produce only 50,000 volts.  This is one of the most effective devices I have ever used.  If the cartridge darts miss you can reload quickly or use the taser as an extremely powerful stun gun.\n\nStun guns - these devices require you to make direct contact with the target.  They use a lower amperage so require a higher voltage.  They range from 100,000 to 950,000 volts.  They cause intense pain, momentary muscular contraction.  These will give a great distraction to facilitate an escape.  My personal favorite is the lady lite stunner, 650k at the link below.\n\nPepper Spray - a very effective self defense option.  there is no difference between mace and most other basic sprays.  If you want power in your spray go for DPS or Fox Labs.
846177
An actual threat to do you harm is illegal.  However, an implied threat would be tricky to prosecute.  If I said "I want to beat you up" is not the same as "I am going to beat you up". . . I am sure he sounded threatening, but perhaps (though wrongly) he was expressing what he'd like to do, and did not state that he was going to do it. . simply because I find it difficult to believe that some one would say "I'm going to kick your *butt*" without a clause and not do it.  Like. . "I'm going to kick your butt if you ever do that again or put anything on my car again".\n\nI would not warn anyone if I was serious about doing harm to them, as they would know by my actions, not a warning or a "threat". . like "My fist is going to hit you once I am done telling you this". . see, that just does not make sense.\n\nBest thing to do in a situation like you were in, is,  WALK AWAY and tell your boss.   People tend to be protective about their property and you did place a warning on his vehicle . . . which was probably not enforceable. . . or your place, and he handled the situation in a bad way (being uncivil).
644643
This is the least of your worries unless you are actively buying from him.  I would not be so much concerned about possible jail sentences for him but more about the probability that his activities could attract a criminal element and that this could affect you in a bad way.  If I knew something like this was going on next door to me I'd send an anonymous tip to the police.
1068474
If they have a valid warrant or valid reason to break into the house (emergency situation) then no, If they accidentally break into the wrong house (don't laugh it's happened before) then the City will more than likely pay for the damage and there may be cause for a lawsuit against the department for the damage. Even if the entry is valid they usually nail a sheet of wood over the  entrance to secure the premises after the raid is complete.
790559
Call the LAPD and find out from them.\nBetter than getting arrested or shot.\nThat's if you don't mind getting arrested or shot.
25818
The gun relies on a compressed air cartidge.  If the cartridge is removed, the taser will not fire.  I hope this helps.