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Legal Information: Maryland

Restraining Orders

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Updated: 
November 27, 2023

What protections can I get in an extreme risk protective order?

In an interim, temporary, or final extreme risk protective order, the District Court commissioner or judge can order that the respondent:

  • give up all firearms and ammunition to law enforcement; and
  • not purchase or possess firearms or ammunition.1

In a temporary or final extreme risk protective order, the judge can also refer the respondent for an emergency evaluation if the judge suspects that the respondent may be suffering from a mental disorder.2 In an interim extreme risk protective order, the commissioner can refer the respondent to law enforcement so that they can decide if the respondent should be taken for an emergency evaluation. The commissioner can make this referral to law enforcement if s/he has probable cause to believe the respondent meets the requirements for an emergency evaluation.3

1 MD Code, Public Safety § 5-603(a)(3)
2 MD Code, Public Safety §§ 5-604(a)(4); 5-605(c)(4)
3 MD Code, Public Safety § 5-603(a)(4)