Signed by Governor Martin O'Malley

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes judges to include in a temporary protective order issued to specific domestic violence suspects a requirement to surrender all firearms in their possession to law enforcement and to refrain from possessing any firearm for the duration of the order beginning October 1, 2009.

Highlights:

- Limits this requirement to suspects involved in incidents that consisted of the use or threat of use of a firearm, or the infliction or threat of infliction of serious bodily harm (Sec. 1). - Requires law enforcement to provide suspects with information regarding the process for retaking possession of the firearm(s), and to transport and store the firearm(s) in a protective case, if available, and in a manner intended to prevent damage to the firearm(s) (Sec. 1). - Authorizes the suspect to retake possession of the firearm(s) once the temporary protective order has expired, unless another order is issued or the current one is extended, or the suspect is not legally eligible to possess the firearm (Sec. 1). - Classifies a violation of the provisions of this Act as a misdemeanor, punishable by 90 days imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $1,000 for the first offense, and one year imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $2,500 for a second or subsequent offense (Sec. 1). - This bill is sponsored by House Speaker Micheal Busch by request of the Governor.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes judges to include in a temporary protective order issued to specific domestic violence suspects a requirement to surrender all firearms in their possession to law enforcement and to refrain from possessing any firearm for the duration of the order beginning October 1, 2009.

Highlights:

- Limits this requirement to suspects involved in incidents that consisted of the use or threat of use of a firearm, or the infliction or threat of infliction of serious bodily harm (Sec. 1). - Requires law enforcement to provide suspects with information regarding the process for retaking possession of the firearm(s), and to transport and store the firearm(s) in a protective case, if available, and in a manner intended to prevent damage to the firearm(s) (Sec. 1). - Authorizes the suspect to retake possession of the firearm(s) once the temporary protective order has expired, unless another order is issued or the current one is extended, or the suspect is not legally eligible to possess the firearm (Sec. 1). - Classifies a violation of the provisions of this Act as a misdemeanor, punishable by 90 days imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $1,000 for the first offense, and one year imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $2,500 for a second or subsequent offense (Sec. 1). - This bill is sponsored by House Speaker Micheal Busch by request of the Governor.

Full Bill Text