�Թϲ�����

A new Maryland law that allows courts to temporarily restrict firearms access for people at risk to themselves or others resulted in more than 300 protective orders, five of which were related to schools, the sheriff of the state's most populous county told lawmakers Tuesday. Montgomery County Sheriff Darren Popkin told a panel of state lawmakers that 302 orders were sought under the state's "red flag" law in the first three months since the law took effect Oct. 1. He said five of them related to schools, and four of those five "were significant threats." (1/15)

Montgomery County Sheriff Darren M. Popkin (D), who has helped train police officers across the state about the “red-flag” law, said he could not provide details about the gun seizures — including those that could have led to school shootings — because of a confidentiality rule. But, Popkin told the House Judiciary Committee, “these orders . . . are saving lives.” Maryland is one of at least nine states, including California, Connecticut and Delaware, that allow a relative, spouse, legal guardian or roommate to seek a court order to keep a person from possessing a gun. (Wiggins, 1/15)