New Policy Paper Highlights Urgent Need To Reduce Gun-Related Domestic Violence In Maryland

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence, Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence, Community Justice, and ROAR have jointly released a comprehensive policy paper, “A Safe Haven: Policy Solutions for Reducing Gun-Related Domestic Violence Against Women and Families in Maryland.” The report outlines critical strategies to address domestic violence and its intersection with gun violence, including enhanced court and law enforcement protocols, increased systemic support and resources, and expanded education and training efforts.  

The authors highlight alarming incidents from Maryland to underscore the urgency of this issue. Tragic events, such as the January 2024 Glenelg case where a father fatally shot his two teenage children before taking his own life, and the June 2024 murder of a 12-year-old Baltimore City girl by her mother’s former intimate partner, reflect the devastating impact of domestic violence combined with easy access to firearms.  

“Maryland has witnessed far too many tragedies where domestic violence and firearms intersect, devastating families and communities. This policy paper, along with the upcoming legislation, aims to ensure our policies prioritize the safety and well-being of survivors and their loved ones,” said Karen Herren, Executive Director of Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence.

“Domestic violence is not a problem between two people – it is a public health problem that impacts extended family, friends and our communities at large. Maryland is not consistently and reliably enforcing the laws that are already on the books, much less taking proactive steps to ensure that abusers do not have the means to murder their intimate partners. Our State should be on the forefront of protecting the public, but it is not,” said Jennifer Pollitt Hill, Executive Director of Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence.

“This policy paper represents a critical step toward protecting Maryland families by addressing the deadly intersection of gun violence and intimate partner violence. By strengthening safeguards, we are making it clear that the safety and well-being of survivors and families must come first. In Maryland, we are committed to creating a future where no one has to live in fear of violence,” said Tarria Stanley, Regional Advocacy Manager of Community Justice.

“ROAR’s attorneys have represented many survivors of domestic violence in their protection order hearings in Baltimore City. Many of them tell the judge they are fearful because their partner has a gun, and the judge replies that the order requires the partner to turn over their gun to the state police. But the survivors know there is no accountability to make sure that that is actually happening. This policy paper demonstrates why it is essential to create that accountability,” said Lydia Watts, Executive Director of the Rebuild, Overcome, and Rise (ROAR) Center at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. 

The policy paper not only documents the scope of the issue but also offers actionable recommendations to enhance safety for women and families in Maryland. Among these recommendations is the critical need to ensure firearms are promptly and effectively removed from individuals who are the subject of domestic violence protective orders.  

In the upcoming 2025 legislative session, Senator Shelly Hettleman and Delegate Sandy Bartlett will sponsor legislation aimed at addressing this issue. Their bill will propose measures to strengthen Maryland’s firearm relinquishment laws, ensuring greater protection for survivors of domestic violence.  

The release of this report represents a call to action for policymakers, advocates, and communities to unite in addressing the deadly intersection of domestic violence and gun violence.  

For more information about the report and the upcoming legislative efforts, please contact below.