Maryland Stun Gun Laws 2026 | College Student & Campus Guide

Campus Policies at Major Maryland Colleges

⚠️ Campus policies change annually. Always verify with your school's student handbook or Dean of Students office before carrying any device.

College	City	Stun Gun	Personal Alarm	Notes & Policy
University of Maryland College Park	College Park	❌ Banned	✅ Allowed	UMD prohibits weapons on campus. Stun guns are included under the weapons prohibition. View policy →
Johns Hopkins University	Baltimore	❌ Banned	✅ Allowed	Johns Hopkins is a private university and prohibits all weapons on campus including stun guns and Tasers. View policy →
Towson University	Towson	❌ Banned	✅ Allowed	Towson prohibits weapons on campus. Background check required for purchase under Maryland law. View policy →
University of Maryland Baltimore County	Baltimore	❌ Banned	✅ Allowed	UMBC prohibits dangerous weapons on campus under university policy. View policy →
Loyola University Maryland	Baltimore	❌ Banned	✅ Allowed	Loyola Maryland is a private university and prohibits all weapons on campus. View policy →

Maryland sits in a middle tier — stun guns are legal after a background check at purchase, but no ongoing permit is required. Every major Maryland campus bans them, making a stun gun an impractical choice for Maryland college students.

What Maryland Law Actually Says

Maryland Criminal Law Code § 5-133 requires a background check at the point of stun gun purchase. This is a point-of-sale check, not an ongoing license. Adults 18+ who pass the background check may purchase and possess a stun gun.

Prohibited locations include school property and places where firearms are banned.

Campus Reality

University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins, Towson, UMBC, and Loyola Maryland all prohibit stun guns on campus under their weapons policies.

What to Carry Instead

For Maryland students, a personal alarm and pepper spray are the right combination. Pepper spray is legal for Maryland adults 18+ with no background check required — simpler than buying a stun gun. The She's Birdie Personal Alarm ($29.99) is unrestricted everywhere. The SABRE Campus Safety Pepper Gel ($11.99) is the top choice for outdoor carry.

Maryland is unique: Stun guns require a background check at purchase but no permit. Pepper spray requires neither. For college students, pepper spray is the simpler legal choice.

For self-defense tools that are legal on every campus: see our complete dorm safety kit guide and best personal alarms for college students.

Important: Campus policies change. Always verify current pepper spray rules directly with your student's campus police department or housing office before move-in day. State law sets the minimum — individual colleges can be more restrictive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are stun guns legal in Maryland?

Yes, for adults 18+ after a background check at point of purchase. Maryland Criminal Law Code § 5-133 requires a background check when purchasing a stun gun, but no ongoing permit is required.

Do you need a permit for a stun gun in Maryland?

No ongoing permit is required. However, a background check must be completed at the point of purchase. This is different from most states where no background check is required.

Can you bring a stun gun to a Maryland college campus?

No. University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins, Towson, UMBC, and Loyola Maryland all prohibit stun guns on campus.

What self-defense tool is legal on every Maryland campus?

A personal alarm is unrestricted on every Maryland campus. Pepper spray is also legal for Maryland adults 18+ and permitted on most Maryland campuses.

Is Baltimore safe for college students?

Some Baltimore neighborhoods have elevated crime rates. For JHU, Loyola Maryland, and UMBC students, a personal alarm and pepper spray are practical tools for off-campus awareness and safety.