ARS 13-3117: Remote stun guns
The complete text of A.R.S. § 13-3117 on remote stun guns, what the State has to prove, and the sentencing range, with a violation charged as a class 4 felony and exposure reaching up to 3.75 years in prison.
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What the State Must Prove Under § 13-3117
A.R.S. § 13-3117 is the Arizona statute on remote stun guns. The statute sets out 2 ways the offense can be committed. A violation is a class 4 felony, depending on the paragraph charged and what the State can prove. The maximum exposure is 3.75 years in prison.
A. It is unlawful for a person or entity to do any of the following:
- Sell an authorized remote stun gun without keeping an accurate sales record as to the identity of the purchaser with the manufacturer of the authorized remote stun gun. The identification that is required by this paragraph shall be verified with a government issued identification. This requirement does not apply to secondary sales.
- Knowingly use or threaten to use a remote stun gun or an authorized remote stun gun against a law enforcement officer who is engaged in the performance of the officer’s official duties.
The State must prove every element of the paragraph it actually charged, beyond a reasonable doubt. Which paragraph appears on the complaint decides what the case is about, and it is the first thing to check.
Penalties for a § 13-3117 Conviction
| Class | Mitigated | Minimum | Presumptive | Maximum | Aggravated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 4 felony | 1 year | 1.5 years | 2.5 years | 3 years | 3.75 years |
| Class | Maximum jail | Maximum fine |
|---|---|---|
| Petty offense | No jail | $300 |
Felony ranges are set by A.R.S. § 13-702(D) and apply to a first felony conviction that is not dangerous and not repetitive. A dangerous offense (§ 13-704), a repetitive offense (§ 13-703) or a dangerous crime against children (§ 13-705) carries a longer range, and some carry mandatory prison with no probation. Misdemeanor maximums come from §§ 13-707 and 13-802; surcharges are added on top of every fine.
Full Text of A.R.S. § 13-3117
A. It is unlawful for a person or entity to do any of the following:
1. Sell an authorized remote stun gun without keeping an accurate sales record as to the identity of the purchaser with the manufacturer of the authorized remote stun gun. The identification that is required by this paragraph shall be verified with a government issued identification. This requirement does not apply to secondary sales.
2. Knowingly use or threaten to use a remote stun gun or an authorized remote stun gun against a law enforcement officer who is engaged in the performance of the officer’s official duties.
B. This section does not:
1. Preclude the prosecution of any person for the use of a remote stun gun or an authorized remote stun gun during the commission of any criminal offense.
2. Preclude any justification defense under chapter 4 of this title.
C. The regulation of remote stun guns and authorized remote stun guns is a matter of statewide concern.
D. A violation of:
1. Subsection A, paragraph 1 is a petty offense.
2. Subsection A, paragraph 2 is a class 4 felony.
E. For the purposes of this section:
1. “Authorized remote stun gun” means a remote stun gun that has all of the following:
(a) An electrical discharge that is less than one hundred thousand volts and less than nine joules of energy per pulse.
(b) A serial or identification number on all projectiles that are discharged from the remote stun gun.
(c) An identification and tracking system that, on deployment of remote electrodes, disperses coded material that is traceable to the purchaser through records that are kept by the manufacturer on all remote stun guns and all individual cartridges sold.
(d) A training program that is offered by the manufacturer.
2. “Remote stun gun” means an electronic device that emits an electrical charge and that is designed and primarily employed to incapacitate a person or animal either through contact with electrodes on the device itself or remotely through wired probes that are attached to the device or through a spark, plasma, ionization or other conductive means emitting from the device.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-3117, as published by the Arizona Legislature. Read the official text on azleg.gov. Statutes change; verify the current version before relying on it.
Related Statutes in Chapter 31 — Weapons And Explosives
- A.R.S. § 13-3116 — Misconduct involving body armor
- A.R.S. § 13-3119 — Misconduct involving weapons in a secured area of an airport
- A.R.S. § 13-3113 — Adjudicated delinquents
- A.R.S. § 13-3122 — Unlawful use of electronic firearm tracking technology
- A.R.S. § 13-3111 — Minors prohibited from carrying or possessing firearms
- A.R.S. § 13-3110 — Misconduct involving simulated explosive devices
- A.R.S. § 13-3109 — Sale or gift of firearm to minor
- A.R.S. § 13-3108 — Firearms regulated by state
How Tamou Law Group Defends § 13-3117 Cases
A § 13-3117 case is decided by the paragraph the State charged, not by the statute as a whole. We start with the charging document and the disclosure, identify which subsection the prosecutor has to prove, and test whether the evidence actually reaches every element of it. Where the class turns on a fact such as value, an alleged injury, a prior conviction or the identity of the person involved, that fact is frequently the difference between a class 4 felony and something far less serious, and it is where these cases are won.
We handle remote stun guns cases across Maricopa County and statewide, from our Scottsdale and Phoenix offices. Call 623-321-4699 any time, or read the statute in full above before you speak to anyone about the case.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is A.R.S. § 13-3117?
A.R.S. § 13-3117 is the Arizona statute on remote stun guns. A violation is a class 4 felony, and which class applies depends on the paragraph charged and the facts the State can prove.
Is a violation of § 13-3117 a felony in Arizona?
Yes. Under the statute a violation is a class 4 felony, so the exposure reaches up to 3.75 years in prison. The paragraph charged and the facts decide which class applies.
What is the sentence for a class 4 felony in Arizona?
For a first felony conviction that is not dangerous or repetitive, A.R.S. 13-702(D) sets a class 4 felony at 1 year to 3.75 years, with a presumptive term of 2.5 years. Dangerous, repetitive and dangerous-crimes-against-children sentencing under 13-703, 13-704 and 13-705 runs longer.
Where can I read the official text of § 13-3117?
The Arizona Legislature publishes it at azleg.gov, in the revision dated 09/19/25. The complete text is reproduced on this page, and every Arizona criminal statute is searchable on our Arizona Criminal Code index.
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