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Legal Information: Maryland

State Gun Laws

Updated: 
November 27, 2023

I have a protective order against the abuser. Can s/he keep a gun or buy a new gun?

Maryland law makes it illegal for someone to have a firearm if there is a valid civil protective order issued against him/her from Maryland (or from a court in another state, tribe, or territory).1

Note: The abuser might not have to give up the gun right away. The law allows for the person who has to turn in the firearm to take the gun to a police station as long as it is unloaded and the person has called ahead to let the police know that s/he is bringing the gun to the police station.2 So, there may be small window of time after the order is issued where the abuser can still legally have the firearm while preparing to bring it to the police.

Also, federal laws, which apply to all states, restrict a person’s right to have a gun under certain circumstances. Go to Federal Gun Laws to get more information.

1 MD Code, Public Safety § 5-133(b)(12)
2 MD Code, Public Safety § 5-133(e)