Yes, Tasers are legal in Argentina but strictly regulated under national firearms laws and provincial decrees. Civilian ownership requires a Portación de Armas permit, issued by the Reglamento de Armas (Decreto 602/2018), with local police approval. Recent 2026 amendments to Ley 26.508 (Firearms Law) mandate background checks, storage protocols, and mandatory training for non-lethal weapons. Use in self-defense is permitted only if proportional and imminent threat criteria are met, per Código Penal Article 34.
Key Regulations for Tasers in Argentina
- Permit Requirement: Tasers fall under Category D of Decreto 602/2018, requiring a federal permit (Portación de Armas) from the Registro Nacional de Armas (RENAR), now under the Agencia Nacional de Materiales Controlados (ANMaC) post-2023 restructuring. Permits are reviewed biennially, with provincial police conducting home inspections.
- Restricted Use: Tasers may only be carried by individuals aged 21+, with no criminal record, and must be stored in a locked safe when not in use. Public display or brandishing without justification constitutes portación ilegal de armas (Article 189, Código Penal), punishable by 1–4 years imprisonment.
- Provincial Variations: Buenos Aires and Córdoba enforce additional local decrees (e.g., Decreto 220/2024 in Buenos Aires) requiring prior notification to municipal authorities for carry permits. Santa Fe and Mendoza prohibit Tasers entirely for civilians, classifying them as armas de guerra.