May I own an electroshock device or taser in Liechtenstein?
No — an electroshock device is a prohibited weapon, not a legal self-defence tool. Under Art. 3 para. 1 Weapons Act (WaffG, LR 514.1), all electroshock devices count as weapons. Devices that impair a person's power of resistance or permanently damage health are even prohibited weapons (Art. 4 para. 3 WaffG) — acquisition, possession and carrying need an exceptional permit from the Landespolizei, which is essentially never granted for private self-defence. The myth: „A taser is like pepper spray, both are legal.“ Wrong — pepper spray is expressly not a weapon in Liechtenstein and freely available, whereas the taser is banned. In Switzerland electroshock devices sit among the prohibited weapons in Art. 5 WG — same name, different number.
📋 The rules
- All electroshock devices are weapons (Art. 3 para. 1 WaffG): the law covers every such device, not just a „police taser“. That alone brings them under the strict rules on acquisition and carrying.
- Effective devices are prohibited (Art. 4 para. 3 WaffG): a device that impairs the power of resistance or permanently damages health is a prohibited weapon. Acquisition and possession need an exceptional permit (Art. 42).
- The permit is the exception, not the rule: it is granted only on written reasons and for narrow purposes — general everyday fear is not enough. In practice the taser stays off-limits for private persons.
- Pepper spray is the legal alternative: it is expressly listed as „not a weapon“ and is freely available. Other spray products with irritants can, however, be weapons under Art. 1 Weapons Ordinance (WaffV, LR 514.11).
- The ammunition is banned too (Art. 5 WaffG): ammunition with projectiles for delivering electric shocks is prohibited. Import and export run through the Swiss authorities; in Switzerland the ban sits in Art. 5 WG.
🔓 Exceptions
- Exceptional permit from the Landespolizei (Art. 42 WaffG): only with it are acquisition and possession of a prohibited electroshock device lawful. It is purpose-bound and, for private self-defence, regularly not granted.
- Conformity with electrical rules (Art. 2 WaffV): an electroshock device does not count as a weapon if it complies with the EEA or Swiss rules for low-voltage electrical equipment. In case of doubt the Landespolizei decides.
- Pepper spray stays free: anyone looking for a legal means of self-defence reaches for pepper spray rather than a taser — it is not a weapon within the meaning of the Act and may be carried.
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Anyone who acquires, possesses or carries an electroshock device without an exceptional permit commits an offence under the Weapons Act: possible are a monetary or prison penalty, and a fine in lighter cases — we do not state the concrete franc amounts, because they could not be cleanly sourced; the penalty part of the WaffG governs. The device is confiscated (Art. 47). Order one from abroad online and you also commit an import that is permit-required under the Swiss law applicable via the customs treaty — the parcel can be seized at the border. Not obvious: the register entry acts as a disqualifying ground for any later weapon acquisition (Art. 12 para. 3), can weigh on naturalisation, and anyone who actually uses the device is additionally liable for injuries under civil and criminal law.
📎 Official sources
- LILEX — Weapons Act (WaffG, LR 514.1), Art. 3, 4, 5, 42, and Weapons Ordinance (WaffV, LR 514.11), Art. 1, 2 (legal register) →
- Landespolizei Liechtenstein — information on weapons (home page) →
- Landespolizei — brochure „Das liechtensteinische Waffenrecht“ (PDF) →
❓ Frequently asked
Is a taser allowed for self-defence?
No, a taser or electroshock device is a prohibited weapon and may be acquired only with an exceptional permit from the Landespolizei. For private self-defence such a permit is essentially never granted.
And pepper spray — is that banned too?
No, pepper spray is expressly not a weapon in Liechtenstein and is freely available. It is therefore the legal alternative to the prohibited electroshock device, while other irritant sprays can well be weapons under Art. 1 WaffV.
What happens if I order a taser online?
The order is a permit-required import that is unlawful without a permit under the Swiss law applicable through the customs treaty. The device can be seized at customs, and you face proceedings for a weapons offence.
Is there an exception for weak devices?
Under Art. 2 of the Weapons Ordinance, an electroshock device does not count as a weapon if it complies with the EEA or Swiss rules for low-voltage electrical equipment. In case of doubt, however, the Landespolizei decides on the classification.
Where is this in the law — and how in Switzerland?
In Liechtenstein, Art. 3 and Art. 4 WaffG (LR 514.1) govern the definition of a weapon and prohibited weapons. In Switzerland electroshock devices sit among the prohibited weapons in Art. 5 WG — same name, different number.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “stun gun liechtenstein”
- “taser liechtenstein allowed”
- “electroshock self defence liechtenstein”
- “pepper spray liechtenstein”
- “prohibited weapons liechtenstein”
- “buy taser liechtenstein”