Regulations published in the NJ Register set to take effect Oct. 20.

Authorities expect demand that "will likely have a positive economic impact'' for the state.

New Jersey was one of only five states that banned residents outright from owning stun guns

TRENTON — Regulations allowing people over the age of 18 to possess stun guns legally in New Jersey for the first time are set to take effect later this year -- a change authorities say will create a demand for the devices that "will likely have a positive economic impact'' for the state.

The new policy is prompted by a successful challenge by a gun rights group to a ban. Proposed regulations published in the New Jersey Register are scheduled to take effect after a public comment period ends Oct. 20.

That's when residents can be expected to arm up with stun guns and Tasers, said Paul Sollitti, owner of NJ Arms in Ocean, a firearms outlet.

"At least that's what I would hope for,'' Sollitti said Thursday. "It'll be good for business because right now a lot of people who feel unsafe at home might morally be opposed to having a gun. This is a device that gets them past that opposition. I predict a lot of people would get one for their home-defense plan.''

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The proposed amendment to the state's firearms laws -- submitted by State Police Superintendent Joseph "Rick'' Fuentes with the approval of Attorney General Christopher Porrino -- includes an "Economic Impact'' section that states: "The proposed amendments and new rule will likely have a positive economic impact by authorizing the sale of stun guns to adults in New Jersey.''

"I think that passage is significant,'' said Stephen Stamboulieh, one of the attorneys who filed the federal lawsuit that challenged New Jersey's ban on private individuals owning stun guns. "You have the state saying it's good for business and there will be increased economic activity from the change.''

"It makes you wonder why New Jersey resisted it in the first place,'' he said.

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New Jersey was one of only five states that banned residents outright from owning stun guns, which can be as small as a pack of cigarettes. A device emits an incapacitating charge of electricity through metal tips that can penetrate clothing and embed in the skin.

Stun guns and Tasers are terms that often used interchangeably, but the devices are different. A Taser is shot from a distance and is a form of electroshock weapon. It shoots probes, which are connected to wires, toward the target.

In the proposed regulations, stun gun is defined as "any weapon or other device that emits an electrical charge or current intended to temporarily or permanently disable a person'' -- wording that would also apply to Tasers. Officials in the Attorney General's office did not respond to a request for clarification if both weapons are covered by the rules.

The state already allows police to use stun guns, but many departments have opted not to, citing high costs of equipping and training officers and restrictions on how and when to use the weapons.

In March 2016, the state relaxed some of the restrictions on how police can use stun guns. Under the new guidelines, police can stun a subject who poses a "substantial" risk of injuring someone. Previously police could only use stun guns to prevent death or serious injury.

Bob Jordan bjordan@gannettnj.com