Ch. 562                                    1996 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(f)     (1) A copy of the protective order shall be served on the petitioner, any
affected person eligible for relief, the appropriate law enforcement agency, and any other
person the court determines is appropriate, in open court or by first class mail.

(2)     (i) A copy of the protective order shall be served on the respondent in
open court or by a law enforcement officer, constable, or sheriff.

(ii) A copy of the protective order shall also be sent to the last known
address of the respondent by first class mail.

(3)     If the respondent is served by a law enforcement officer, constable, or
sheriff, a return of service shall be filed with the court.

(g)     All relief granted in a protective order shall be effective for the period stated
in the order, not to exceed 200 days.

4-511.

(A)     WHEN RESPONDING TO THE SCENE OF AN ALLEGED ACT OF DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE, AS DESCRIBED IN THIS SUBTITLE, A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER SHALL
MAY REMOVE A FIREARM FROM THE PREMISES 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 PREMISES SCENE DURING THE RESPONSE.

(B)     IF A FIREARM IS REMOVED FROM THE PREMISES 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.

Article - Courts and Judicial Proceedings

5-106.

(S) A PROSECUTION FOR AN OFFENSE UNDER § 449(D) OR (E) OF THIS
SUBTITLE, RELATING TO STRAW SALES OF REGULATED FIREARMS TO PROHIBITED
PERSONS OR MINORS AND TO ILLEGAL SALES, RENTALS, TRANSFERS, POSSESSION.
OR RECEIPT OF REGULATED FIREARMS, SHALL BE INSTITUTED WITHIN 3 YEARS
AFTER THE OFFENSE WAS COMMITTED.

- 3210 -