While many law enforcement agencies around New Jersey arm their officers with stun guns, it’s illegal for a private citizen to carry one. A New Jersey gun rights group called the Second Amendment Society wants to change that.
The group filed a federal lawsuit Thursday against the state Attorney General’s Office, pointing to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling earlier this year that intimated citizens should be able to own that kind of weapon.
The high court’s March decision invalidated a ruling in Massachusetts’ that said stun guns are not covered by the Constitution.
According to the federal lawsuit, New Jersey-resident Mark Cheesman said he tried to order a Taser Pulse model from Taser International on Wednesday, but the company wouldn’t allow it, citing the state’s ban.
More than 18,000 law enforcement agencies worldwide use some form of a stun gun. Most have a range of about 25 feet.
The stun guns marketed to citizens carry about 15 feet of conductive wires.
Hawaii, Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island also prohibit people from carrying stun guns and similar weapons.
A similar lawsuit was filed last week to overturn the stun gun ban in Washington, D.C.
