THE MICHIGAN PENAL CODE (EXCERPT) Act 328 of 1931
750.224a Portable device or weapon directing electrical current, impulse, wave, or beam; sale or possession prohibited; exceptions; use of electro-muscular disruption technology; violation; penalty; verification of identity and possession of license; prohibited use; definitions. Sec. 224a.
(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person shall not sell, offer for sale, or possess in this state a portable device or weapon from which an electrical current, impulse, wave, or beam may be directed, which current, impulse, wave, or beam is designed to incapacitate temporarily, injure, or kill. (2) This section does not prohibit any of the following: (a) The possession and reasonable use of a device that uses electro-muscular disruption technology by a peace officer, or by any of the following individuals if the individual has been trained in the use, effects, and risks of the device, and is using the device while performing his or her official duties: (i) An employee of the department of corrections who is authorized in writing by the director of the department of corrections to possess and use the device. (ii) A local corrections officer authorized in writing by the county sheriff to possess and use the device. (iii) An individual employed by a local unit of government that utilizes a jail or lockup facility who has custody of persons detained or incarcerated in the jail or lockup facility and who is authorized in writing by the chief of police, director of public safety, or sheriff to possess and use the device. (iv) A probation officer. (v) A court officer. (vi) A bail agent authorized under section 167b. (vii) A licensed private investigator. (viii) An aircraft pilot or aircraft crew member. (ix) An individual employed as a private security police officer. As used in this subparagraph, "private security police" means that term as defined in section 2 of the private security business and security alarm act, 1968 PA 330, MCL 338.1052. (b) The possession and reasonable use of a device that uses electro-muscular disruption technology by an individual who holds a valid license to carry a concealed pistol under section 5b of 1927 PA 372, MCL 28.425, and who has been trained under subsection (5) in the use, effects, and risks of the device. (c) Possession solely for the purpose of delivering a device described in subsection (1) to any governmental agency or to a laboratory for testing, with the prior written approval of the governmental agency or law enforcement agency and under conditions determined to be appropriate by that agency. (3) A manufacturer, authorized importer, or authorized dealer may demonstrate, offer for sale, hold for sale, sell, give, lend, or deliver a device that uses electro-muscular disruption technology to a person authorized to possess a device that uses electro-muscular disruption technology and may possess a device that uses electro-muscular disruption technology for any of those purposes. (4) A person who violates subsection (1) is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 4 years or a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or both. (5) An authorized dealer or other person who sells a device that uses electro-muscular disruption technology to an individual described in subsection (2)(b) shall verify the individual's identity and verify that the individual holds a valid concealed pistol license issued under section 5b of 1927 PA 372, MCL 28.425b, and shall provide to the individual purchasing the device, at the time of the sale, training on the use, effects, and risks of the device. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 30 days or a fine of not more than $500.00, or both. (6) An individual described in subsection (2) shall not use a device that uses electro-muscular disruption technology against another person except under circumstances that would justify the individual's lawful use of physical force. An individual who violates this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 2 years or a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or both. (7) As used in this section: (a) "A device that uses electro-muscular disruption technology" means a device to which both of the following apply: (i) The device is capable of creating an electro-muscular disruption and is used or intended to be used as a defensive device capable of temporarily incapacitating or immobilizing a person by the direction or emission of conducted energy. (ii) The device contains an identification and tracking system that, when the device is initially used, dispenses coded material traceable to the purchaser through records kept by the manufacturer, and the manufacturer of the device has a policy of providing that identification and tracking information to a police agency upon written request by that agency. However, this subdivision does not apply to a launchable device that is used only by law enforcement agencies. (b) "Local corrections officer" means that term as defined in section 2 of the local corrections officers training act, 2003 PA 125, MCL 791.532. (c) "Peace officer" means any of the following: (i) A police officer or public safety officer of this state or a political subdivision of this state, including motor carrier officers appointed under section 6d of 1935 PA 59, MCL 28.6d, and security personnel employed by the state under section 6c of 1935 PA 59, MCL 28.6c. (ii) A sheriff or a sheriff's deputy. (iii) A police officer or public safety officer of a junior college, college, or university who is authorized by the governing board of that junior college, college, or university to enforce state law and the rules and ordinances of that junior college, college, or university. (iv) A township constable. (v) A marshal of a city, village, or township. (vi) A conservation officer of the department of natural resources or the department of environmental quality. (vii) A reserve peace officer, as that term is defined in section 1 of 1927 PA 372, MCL 28.421. (viii) A law enforcement officer of another state or of a political subdivision of another state or a junior college, college, or university in another state, substantially corresponding to a law enforcement officer described in subparagraphs (i) to (vii). (ix) A federal law enforcement officer.
History: Add. 1976, Act 106, Eff. July 1, 1976 ;-- Am. 2002, Act 709, Imd. Eff. Dec. 30, 2002 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 338, Imd. Eff. Sept. 23, 2004 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 457, Imd. Eff. Dec. 20, 2006 ;-- Am. 2012, Act 122, Eff. Aug. 6, 2012
Understanding Michigan's Laws on Electrical Defense Devices
Regulation of Electrical Defense Devices in Michigan
In Michigan, it's generally illegal to sell, offer for sale, or possess portable devices or weapons that direct an electrical current, impulse, wave, or beam designed to temporarily incapacitate, injure, or kill. Violating this law is a serious crime, leading to a potential felony charge, up to 4 years of imprisonment, or a fine of up to $2,000, or both.
Exceptions to the Prohibition
However, there are key exceptions to this rule. The law does not apply to the following situations:
- Peace officers, employees of the Department of Corrections, local corrections officers, individuals in charge of people detained in jails or lockup facilities, probation officers, court officers, bail agents, licensed private investigators, aircraft pilots and crew members, and private security police officers may possess and reasonably use a device that uses electro-muscular disruption technology, provided they have been adequately trained in its use, effects, and risks.
- Individuals who hold a valid license to carry a concealed pistol and have been trained in the use of such a device.
- Possession of such a device solely for the purpose of delivering it to a government agency or laboratory for testing, under the approval and conditions determined by the agency.
- Manufacturers, authorized importers, and authorized dealers may demonstrate, offer for sale, hold for sale, sell, give, lend, or deliver a device that uses electro-muscular disruption technology to a person authorized to possess such a device.
Use of Electro-Muscular Disruption Technology
Devices using electro-muscular disruption technology can only be used under circumstances that would justify lawful use of physical force. The misuse of these devices is punishable by up to 2 years in prison or a fine of up to $2,000, or both.
Such a device must have an identification and tracking system that dispenses coded material traceable to the purchaser when the device is initially used. The manufacturer must provide the identification and tracking information to a police agency upon the agency's written request.
Responsibilities of Sellers
Sellers of these devices are required to verify the buyer's identity and that they hold a valid concealed pistol license. They also must provide training to the purchaser on the use, effects, and risks of the device at the time of the sale. Failure to do so is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail or a fine of up to $500, or both.
Key Definitions
"A device that uses electro-muscular disruption technology" refers to a defensive device capable of temporarily incapacitating or immobilizing a person by directing or emitting conducted energy.
A "peace officer" includes various law enforcement roles such as police officers, public safety officers, sheriffs, college police officers, township constables, city marshals, conservation officers, reserve peace officers, law enforcement officers from other states, and federal law enforcement officers.
History of the Law
This law was added in 1976 and has been amended multiple times, most recently in 2012.
Disclaimer: This article does not constitute legal advice. Always consult with a legal professional if you have any doubts or questions.