Terms Used In Maryland Code, FAMILY LAW 4-511

  • Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
(a) When responding to the scene of an alleged act of domestic violence, as described in this subtitle, a law enforcement officer may remove a firearm from the scene if:

(1) the law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that an act of domestic violence has occurred; and

(2) the law enforcement officer has observed the firearm on the scene during the response.

(b) If a firearm is removed from the scene under subsection (a) of this section, the law enforcement officer shall:

(1) provide to the owner of the firearm information on the process for retaking possession of the firearm; and

(2) provide for the safe storage of the firearm during the pendency of any proceeding related to the alleged act of domestic violence.

(c) At the conclusion of a proceeding on the alleged act of domestic violence, the owner of the firearm may retake possession of the firearm unless ordered to surrender the firearm under § 4-506 of this subtitle.