Introduction
Over 1.4 million Maryland residents experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. Fortunately, many victims survive these traumatic events; however, Maryland reported 272 domestic violence-related deaths between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2018 and for the 2019 calendar year. Sixty-nine percent of all domestic violence related deaths (victims only) in 2019 were by firearm. An abuser’s access to firearms can determine a victim’s chances of survival; domestic violence firearm prohibitions and removal laws save lives.
Maryland prohibits possession of a firearm by persons convicted of a “disqualifying crime” and persons subject to a final domestic violence protective order. A court issuing a temporary domestic violence protective order may prohibit the subject of the order from possessing any firearms. If the court issuing a temporary domestic violence protective order prohibits possession, the court may order the removal of firearms from the subject of the order. Maryland requires removal of firearms from persons subject to a final domestic violence protective order.
