Can I buy a taser or stun gun for self-defence in Malta?
No. You cannot simply buy a stun gun or Taser and carry it for self-defence in Malta. After the 2013 reform of the Arms Act (Cap. 480), stun guns (and sling shots) were placed in Schedule I — the most restricted category, the same level as handguns. That means you cannot acquire them as an ordinary item; any possession falls under the strict arms licensing that is issued for collection or sport, not for defence in public. The Taser (the electric weapon that fires projectiles) is in practice reserved for law enforcement only. The myth: that because it is not a firearm and "not fatal," you can order a stun gun online and carry it in your bag. In reality it is a weapon prohibited to carry for defence, and electric-shock devices such as stun guns, Tasers and shock batons are also among the prohibited items at Malta's airport. The right to self-defence (Cap. 9) remains, but it does not make these tools legal to keep or carry.
📋 The rules
- After the 2013 reform, stun guns were placed in Schedule I of Cap. 480 — the most restricted category, like handguns.
- Possession of a Schedule I item falls under strict arms licensing, issued for collection or sport, not for defence in public.
- The Taser (an electric weapon that fires projectiles) is in practice reserved for law enforcement only.
- Electric-shock devices — stun guns, Tasers, shock batons — are among the prohibited items at Malta's airport.
- The right to self-defence (Cap. 9) remains, but it does not make these tools legal to keep or carry.
🔓 Exceptions
- Law enforcement may be equipped with and use electric-shock weapons in the course of their duties, under rules and training.
- Possession under a valid arms licence (collection or sport) is a different matter from carrying in public for defence — the first may be possible, the second is not.
- In a real attack, proportionate defence is protected by law — but that does not legitimise the prohibited tool itself.
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Being caught with a stun gun or Taser in public is no small matter. Because stun guns are in Schedule I — the same level as handguns — keeping or carrying them without a licence falls under the arms law, with a risk of arrest, charges and prison time, together with confiscation of the device. A criminal record with an arms-related offence can wipe out job opportunities, visas and travel for years. If you try to carry such a device through the airport, it is seized and you can be reported to the Police, with delays and complications to your travel. There is also the practical risk that the device is used against you or escalates a confrontation, and that disproportionate use turns you from a victim into a defendant for bodily harm. The best way to protect yourself remains to avoid danger, keep your phone ready, and call 112 — not to rely on a prohibited tool.
📎 Official sources
- Legislation Malta · Arms Act (Cap. 480) →
- Malta Police Force · arms licensing and control →
- AMACS · summary of the arms schedules (stun guns in Schedule I, 2013) →
❓ Frequently asked
Is a stun gun legal in Malta?
After 2013, stun guns were placed in Schedule I of the Arms Act — the most restricted category, like handguns. That means you cannot acquire them as an ordinary item for defence; any possession falls under the strict arms licensing, which is not issued for carrying in public.
Can I order a Taser online and bring it to Malta?
No, the Taser is in practice reserved for law enforcement, and ordering one from abroad does not change that. The device can be held at customs or the airport, and if you are caught with it you can face charges under the arms law rather than a valid defence.
I am a woman — can I carry a stun gun for my safety?
We understand the concern, but the law currently does not allow a citizen to carry a stun gun or Taser for self-defence, whoever they are. Legal alternatives include a personal alarm, avoiding danger, and calling 112, while any threat should be reported to the Police.
What is the difference between a stun gun and a Taser in law?
Both devices work by electric shock, but a stun gun works by contact while a Taser fires projectiles from a distance. In practice neither is available to the citizen for defence: the stun gun falls in Schedule I and the Taser is reserved for law enforcement.
Can I travel with an electric-shock device?
No — stun guns, Tasers and shock batons are among the prohibited items at Malta's airport, so you cannot carry them in your cabin baggage or on you. If you try, the device is seized and you can be reported, with delays and complications to your travel.
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