Final answer:
The penalty for breach of a protective order by possessing a firearm typically results in a misdemeanor with possible jail time and fines; however, it can also be a Class E felony with a mandatory minimum sentence, depending on the specifics of the violation and state laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The penalty for someone with a protective order to possess a firearm depends on state law. In some cases, it is classified as a misdemeanor with state law prescribing a maximum penalty of eleven (11) months and twenty-nine (29) days in jail and a fine not to exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2500). Specifically for carrying weapons on or in public recreational property, it can be considered a Class E felony, which may carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 days imprisonment. Additionally, in certain circumstances, the possession of a firearm by someone with a protective order can lead to more severe legal repercussions, as firearms must be kept unloaded and disassembled or bound by a trigger lock unless they are located in a place of business or being used for legal recreational activities. The case of District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) underlines the complexity of gun rights, as the Supreme Court held that individuals have a right to keep functional firearms in the home for self-defense, thus any law against this could be deemed unconstitutional.