Source: http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=279&state_code=MD&open_id=9485
Timestamp: 2017-10-23 13:24:20
Document Index: 127709191

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 4', '§ 5', '§ 924', '§ 5', '§ 5', '§ 5', '§ 5', '§ 5', '§ 925', '§ 5', '§ 925', '§ 5', '§ 925']

WomensLaw.org | Maryland: State Gun Laws | More Information and Where to Get Help
http://www.womenslaw.org//laws_state_type.php?id=279&state_code=MD&open_id=9485〈=en
http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=279&state_code=MD&open_id=9485〈=en
If the judge orders that the abuser’s gun(s) be taken away, s/he will have to give up any guns in his/her possession and will have to surrender any other guns to the law enforcement agency chosen by the judge within a reasonable amount of time.* When the protective order expires, the abuser can go to the law enforcement agency that took the gun(s) to get it back.
If your abuser’s gun(s) is taken away at the scene of a domestic violence incident (whether or not the gun was used during the incident), the law enforcement officer will store the gun(s) until the court proceedings related to the incident are over.**
* MD Code, Fam. Law §§ 4-505(a)(2)(viii), 4-506(f)
** MD Code, Fam. Law § 4-511
If the judge orders that the abuser’s gun(s) be taken away, s/he will have to give up any guns in his/her possession and will have to surrender any other guns to the law enforcement agency chosen by the judge within a reasonable amount of time.* When the protective order expires, the abuser can go to the law enforcement agency that took the gun(s) to get it back. If your abuser’s gun(s) is taken away at the scene of a domestic violence incident (whether or not the gun was used during the incident), the law enforcement officer will store the gun(s) until the court proceedings related to the incident are over.** * MD Code, Fam. Law §§ 4-505(a)(2)(viii), 4-506(f) ** MD Code, Fam. Law § 4-511
http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=279&state_code=MD&open_id=9485〈=en#content-9497
A local domestic violence organization in your area may also be able to answer your questions and assist you in talking to the necessary law enforcement officials. You will find contact information for organizations in your area on our MD State and Local Programs page.
If you think the abuser is violating state firearm laws, you can call your local police or sheriff department or the State Police. If you think the abuser is violating federal firearm laws, you can call the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). You can find contact information for sheriff departments in your area on our MD Sheriff Departments [/gethelp_state_type.php?type_name=SheriffDepartments&state_code=MD] page. You can find ATF field offices in Maryland on the ATF website [https://www.atf.gov/baltimore-field-division/maryland-field-offices]. For reporting illegal firearm activity, a person can also call 1-800-ATF-GUNS (1-800-283-4867). Many ATF offices have victim advocates on staff (called “victim/witness coordinators”) and so perhaps you may ask to speak one of these advocates if you are having a hard time connecting with (or receiving a call back from) an ATF officer. A local domestic violence organization in your area may also be able to answer your questions and assist you in talking to the necessary law enforcement officials. You will find contact information for organizations in your area on our MD State and Local Programs [/gethelp_state_type.php?type_name=StateandLocalPrograms&state_code=MD] page. Note: Generally, the abuser does not have to have knowledge of the law in order to be arrested for breaking the law. If the abuser has or buys a gun in violation of the law, the abuser can be arrested, whether or not s/he knows that s/he was in violation of the law.* * _United States v. Lippman_, 369 F. 3d 1039 (8th Cir. 2004); _United States v. Henson_, 55 F. Supp. 2d 528 (S.D. W.V. 1999)
http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=279&state_code=MD&open_id=9485〈=en#content-9498
Under Maryland state law, anyone who has a gun in violation of the state firearm prohibition can be guilty of a felony and punished by jail time between 5 and 15 years.** Also, any other violation of a protective order (interim, temporary, or final) can be a misdemeanor and can be punished by jail time, a fine, or both, as well.
** MD Code, Public Safety § 5-133(c)(2)(i)
Anyone who owns, has or buys a gun in violation of the federal firearm law can be punished by a fine, jail time for up to 10 years, or both.* Under Maryland state law, anyone who has a gun in violation of the state firearm prohibition can be guilty of a felony and punished by jail time between 5 and 15 years.** Also, any other violation of a protective order (interim, temporary, or final) can be a misdemeanor and can be punished by jail time, a fine, or both, as well. * 18 USC § 924(a)(2) ** MD Code, Public Safety § 5-133(c)(2)(i)
http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=279&state_code=MD&open_id=9485〈=en#content-9499
Even if you do not have a protective order against the abuser and s/he has not been convicted of any crime, Maryland state law makes it illegal for the following other people to have a firearm:
is under the protection of a court-appointed guardian (except if the guardian is solely a result of a physical disability);* or
s/he is under age 21 (although there are some exceptions, listed in section (d) of the statute).**
If none of these situations apply, you can still make a plan for your safety. See our Staying Safe page for more information. You can also contact your local domestic violence organization for additional help. You may want to talk to them about whether leaving the area - either long term or for a little while - might help improve your safety. See our MD State and Local Programs page to find a local domestic violence organization near you.
For additional information on gun laws in Maryland, you can go to the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence website.
* MD Code, Public Safety § 5-133(b)
** MD Code, Public Safety § 5-133(d)
Even if you do not have a protective order against the abuser and s/he has not been convicted of any crime, Maryland state law makes it illegal for the following other people to have a firearm: * is under the age of 30 and s/he has been adjudicated "delinquent" by a juvenile court for an act that would be a disqualifying crime if committed by an adult; * is a fugitive from justice; * is an alcoholic ("habitual drunkard") or a drug addict; * has a mental disorder and has a history of violent behavior against a person; * has been found to be "incompetent to stand trial" or "not criminally responsible;" * has been voluntarily admitted to a mental facility for more than 30 consecutive days or has been involuntarily committed to a facility (for any period of time); * is under the protection of a court-appointed guardian (except if the guardian is solely a result of a physical disability);* or * s/he is under age 21 (although there are some exceptions, listed in section (d) of the statute [/statutes_detail.php?statute_id=4657#statute-top]).** If any of these apply to your situation, please talk to an advocate in your area about how this law is being enforced. If none of these situations apply, you can still make a plan for your safety. See our Staying Safe [/simple.php?sitemap_id=3] page for more information. You can also contact your local domestic violence organization for additional help. You may want to talk to them about whether leaving the area - either long term or for a little while - might help improve your safety. See our MD State and Local Programs [/gethelp_state_type.php?type_name=StateandLocalPrograms&state_code=MD] page to find a local domestic violence organization near you. For additional information on gun laws in Maryland, you can go to the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence [http://smartgunlaws.org/gun-laws/state-law/Maryland/] website. * MD Code, Public Safety § 5-133(b) ** MD Code, Public Safety § 5-133(d)
http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=279&state_code=MD&open_id=9485〈=en#content-9500
http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=279&state_code=MD&open_id=9485〈=en#content-9501
Maybe. If the abuser is a law enforcement officer, military employee or government employee, then s/he might be able to continue to use his/her gun for work purposes, but not for personal use, even if there is a protective order against him/her.* However, if the abuser has been convicted of a felony or a domestic violence misdemeanor, then under federal law, s/he cannot buy or have a gun, even if s/he is a police officer or a military employee.**
If you are confused or not sure whether or not the abuser can still use his/her gun for work purposes, you can talk to a domestic violence advocate in your area or call the National Center on Protection Orders and Full Faith & Credit to find out more information: 1-800-903-0111, ext. 2.
To find a domestic violence advocate in your area, please go to our MD State and Local Programs page.
* 18 USC § 925(a)(1); see also MD Code, Public Safety § 5-102(4)
Maybe. If the abuser is a law enforcement officer, military employee or government employee, then s/he might be able to continue to use his/her gun for work purposes, but not for personal use, even if there is a protective order against him/her.* However, if the abuser has been convicted of a felony or a domestic violence misdemeanor, then under federal law, s/he cannot buy or have a gun, even if s/he is a police officer or a military employee.** If you are confused or not sure whether or not the abuser can still use his/her gun for work purposes, you can talk to a domestic violence advocate in your area or call the National Center on Protection Orders and Full Faith & Credit to find out more information: 1-800-903-0111, ext. 2. To find a domestic violence advocate in your area, please go to our MD State and Local Programs [/gethelp_state_type.php?type_id=1608&state_code=MD] page. * 18 USC § 925(a)(1); see also MD Code, Public Safety § 5-102(4) ** 18 USC § 925(a)(1)
http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=279&state_code=MD&open_id=9485〈=en#content-9503
You can contact a local domestic violence organization in your area - see our MD State and Local Programs page.
Trying to understand both federal and state law can be confusing, but there are people out there who can help you better understand the law and your rights under the law. * You can also contact the National Center on Protection Orders and Full Faith & Credit to get more information about the federal firearm law and how it applies to you: 1-800-903-0111, ext. 2. * You can contact a local domestic violence organization in your area - see our MD State and Local Programs [/gethelp_state_type.php?type_id=1608&state_code=MD] page. * You can write to our Email Hotline [/contactus.php].
http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=279&state_code=MD&open_id=9485〈=en#content-9505