Restraining Orders

The steps to get an extreme risk protective order are similar to the steps to get a domestic violence restraining order, but you will fill out different forms. In your petition, you should:

• write any information you know about how the respondent presents an immediate danger of hurting himself/herself, you, or others if s/he has a firearm;
• describe the respondent’s behaviors and any statements s/he made about hurting himself/herself or others;
• provide a description of the number, types, and the location of the respondent’s firearms; and
• include any supporting documents and evidence that you may have regarding:
  
  • the respondent’s unlawful, reckless, or negligent use, display, storage, possession, or waving (brandishing) of a firearm;
  • the respondent’s act of violence or threat of violence against another person even if the threat does not involve a firearm;
  • any violation of a protective order or a peace order; and
  • any abuse of drugs (controlled substances) or alcohol, including any information about the respondent’s convictions for crimes involving a drugs or alcohol.¹

¹ MD Code, Public Safety § 5-602(a)(1)