Judges can order guns out of homes in protective order cases

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Mary Crawford is a survivor of domestic violence.

She remembers one ugly confrontation with her ex-husband.

"He started throwing things and told me if I called the police it would take five minutes to blow my head off and burn the house down with my stepson in it."

But after she got an order of protection, there was a near-deadly confrontation in which her husband grabbed a rifle and fired at her.

Two new laws are aimed at that particular problem - to curb the violence that often escalates after a protective order is issued and to reduce the likelihood that those confrontations end with a fatality.

According to Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, the laws accomplish two things.

"Judges across Maryland will now have the authority in the context of a temporary order to order that a firearm be surrendered. In the case of a permanent, or a final protective order, judges will now mandate the surrender of firearms," Brown says.

Brown's cousin was killed by an ex-boyfriend.

"My personal experience certainly did not make me an expert on this issue. It broadended my understanding and my perspective, and caused me to double my efforts to join with each and every one of you as we battle to end domestic violence in Maryland."

Brown wants to see more done, and he's not alone. Montgomery County's State's Attorney John McCarthy wants to see a bill passed that makes it a criminal offense to commit an act of domestic violence in front of a child. He cites the studies that show the lasting impact that has on families.

"I think it's time we protect the chidren," Brown says.

That bill has made it through Maryland House committees in Annapolis, but failed on the Senate side. McCarthy says he will try again next year.

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