Bill > SB20

This bill, the Family and Law Enforcement Protection Act, aims to strengthen protections against abuse by requiring individuals seeking protective orders to provide more detailed information about a respondent's firearms and by mandating the surrender of firearms and related licenses by respondents. Specifically, when a petition alleges abuse and the respondent possesses a firearm or a handgun qualification license (a permit allowing someone to purchase a handgun) or a permit to carry a handgun, the petitioner must now include details about the respondent's firearm possession, including its potential location, last seen date, make and model, and how many firearms the respondent may have access to. Furthermore, both temporary and final protective orders will now explicitly require respondents to surrender any firearms and handgun qualification licenses or permits they possess to law enforcement authorities and prohibit them from purchasing or possessing firearms for the duration of the order. The bill also outlines procedures for law enforcement to ensure compliance with firearm surrender, including the possibility of search warrants, and provides options for respondents who do not wish to recover surrendered firearms, such as selling them to a licensed dealer or requesting their destruction. These changes are intended to enhance safety for individuals seeking protection from abuse and to provide law enforcement with clearer guidelines and tools to enforce protective orders.

Justice

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0020?ys=2026RS