Since the September 11th events, what was commonplace for travelers has changed drastically.

A pilot who had been flying internationally for 30 years had no trouble flying from the United States to Lebanon, where his airline was based. When he returned to the United States, where his family had moved and where he had established residence, he was not allowed to enter the country. He was put on the return flight to Lebanon where he languished for two years waiting for the wheels of government to grind along before finally allowing him to return to his wife and daughter.

When you start the search to find out what is legal and where you can carry and/or use stun guns, TASER guns, or pepper spray, here are the three main places to begin:

• The local law enforcement agencies (unincorporated areas, which are usually overseen by the county; various municipalities or towns and cities);

• The Sheriff’s Office; and

• Office of the State Attorney General.

In the United States stun guns are NOT considered firearms and may be legally used only if they are used for self defense.

• Stun Guns and TASER guns are legal in 42 states BUT they are illegal in the following states: Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Wisconsin

It’s interesting that the very states which want to take away the right to bear arms
are the same states which want to disallow TASERs and stun guns.

• Stun guns and TASER Devices are prohibited in several metropolitan areas around the country. A short list of those includes: Annapolis, MD, Baltimore, MD, District of Columbia, and Philadelphia. Check your own city as well as your destinations – all of them.

• When planning to travel by air, start by contacting all of the airlines, ships, or trains on which you will be traveling. While many airlines provide their cockpit crew and attendants with stun guns and training, they take a very dim view of passengers who attempt to board with TASERs, stun guns, or pepper spray in their carry-on luggage.

• Begin international travel plans by contacting all of the airlines, ships or trains on which you will be traveling. Find out specifically what is allowed in checked baggage.

• Contact the embassies of every single country through which you will pass. This includes travel connections where you disembark and then board another plane without ever leaving the airport. Most countries are quite particular about who sets foot on their soil and what those persons are carrying.

• Never assume you know the regulations. Do your homework.

Don’t find out the hard way that your assumptions were incorrect. It often costs money, sometimes costs heartache, and always costs time.