Is a taser or stun gun for self-defence allowed in Albania?
Only with authorisation — a stun gun is a cold weapon, not a free-to-buy gadget. The myth is that since it is not a firearm, a taser or stun gun is sold and carried freely. The Council of Ministers decision, implementing Law no. 152/2020, clearly lists electric stunners among category D3 cold weapons — contact devices intended for attack or self-defence, alongside rubber batons, maces and metal knuckles. That means keeping one requires authorisation from the State Police. Without that permit, you have an unlicensed cold weapon, and the Criminal Code, article 279, kicks in: a fine or up to 3 years in prison for keeping it without a permit, and up to 1 to 5 years in prison if you carry it on the street, in a car or in a public place. So the reasoning that “it is not a firearm, no problem” is exactly the misunderstanding that takes you to court.
📋 The rules
- The government decision implementing Law no. 152/2020 lists electric stunners among category D3 cold weapons — contact devices for attack or self-defence.
- To keep an electric stunner/taser you need authorisation from the State Police, just as for other cold weapons.
- Without authorisation, Criminal Code article 279 applies: a fine or up to 3 years in prison for producing, keeping, buying or selling without a permit.
- Carrying it in a vehicle, in a public place or a space open to the public, without authorisation, raises it to 1 to 5 years in prison (article 279, paragraph 2).
- Authorisation is granted only to those who meet the criteria of Law no. 74/2014 (clean record, age, capacity) and relates to keeping it, not to free use.
🔓 Exceptions
- Licensed security and guard staff may be equipped under their own regime; the ordinary citizen is subject to the separate authorisation.
- With a valid authorisation, keeping it at your residence is lawful; the permit does not cover carrying it in public for no reason.
- Use against an attack is judged under article 19 (necessary defence): the response must be proportionate to the danger.
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The real cost starts with the phrase “it is not a firearm”. Because the stun gun is a category D3 cold weapon, keeping it without authorisation is a fine or up to 3 years in prison under article 279, and 1 to 5 years in prison if you carry it on the street, in a car or in a square. The fine amount is not fixed in law — the court sets it — so any “exact” figure you hear on the street should be taken with caution, all the more since it is usually quoted in old lek, ten times the real value. On top of this comes confiscation of the device and a criminal record that stays on your penalty certificate — it blocks employment, visas and any future weapons permit. And if you use it on someone outside the conditions of necessary defence, it shifts to exceeding self-defence or to causing injury, where the penalties are entirely different. Buying it online from abroad also collides with customs.
📎 Official sources
- QBZ · Criminal Code, article 279 (cold weapons) →
- QBZ · Law no. 74/2014 “On Weapons”, as amended by no. 152/2020 →
- State Police (ASP) · authorisations for cold weapons →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I freely buy a stun gun because it is not a firearm?
No — the government decision lists the electric stunner among category D3 cold weapons, which require authorisation from the State Police. The fact that it is not a firearm does not make it free; without authorisation you fall under keeping an unlicensed cold weapon under article 279.
What is the penalty if I am caught with a taser without a permit?
Keeping a cold weapon without authorisation is punished with a fine or up to three years in prison under article 279 of the Criminal Code. If you carry it on the street, in a vehicle or in a public place, the penalty rises to one to five years in prison.
Can I get a permit to keep a stun gun?
The State Police issues authorisation for cold weapons to people who meet the criteria of Law no. 74/2014, such as a clean criminal record, age and capacity. This authorisation relates to keeping it under conditions and does not give you the right to use it or carry it anywhere for no reason.
Can I keep the taser in the car for safety?
Carrying it in a vehicle or in a public place without authorisation is precisely the variant article 279 punishes most severely, with one to five years in prison. Even with an authorisation for the residence, carrying it in the car or on the street for no reason may not be covered by the permit.
What if I use the stun gun against an attacker?
The use is judged under article 19 on necessary defence, where the response must be proportionate to the danger of the attack. If you strike someone who no longer threatens you or is walking away, you risk answering for exceeding the limits of self-defence.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “stun gun albania law”
- “taser legal albania”
- “electric stunner permit”
- “category d3 cold weapon”
- “stun gun self-defence”
- “article 279 stun gun”