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Washington D.C. is not a stand your ground state. DC uses a Gillis middle-ground rule: no absolute duty to retreat, but the jury may weigh failure to retreat when assessing reasonable belief. No SYG statute, no civil immunity.
Wisconsin has a castle-doctrine presumption under Wis. Stat. 939.48(1m) for home, vehicle, and business, but no stand-your-ground law. In public, retreat ability is a jury factor. Learn the full Wisconsin self-defense rules.
West Virginia is a stand-your-ground state. W. Va. Code 55-7-22 removes the duty to retreat in the home and anywhere you are lawfully present. Learn the castle doctrine, deadly-force rules, and civil immunity.
Utah is a stand-your-ground state. Learn how Utah Code 76-2-402 eliminates any duty to retreat and how the 2024 amendment to 76-2-405 expanded castle doctrine to vehicles and workplaces.
Tennessee is a stand-your-ground state. T.C.A. § 39-11-611(b) removes the duty to retreat; § 39-11-611(c) creates a presumption of fear for forcible entry. Civil immunity under § 39-11-622.
Virginia self-defense law is common law, not statutory. A faultless defender has no duty to retreat; an at-fault defender must. Learn the castle doctrine and more.
South Dakota is a stand-your-ground state under SDCL 22-18-4 (HB 1212, 2021). No duty to retreat anywhere lawfully present. Criminal and civil immunity under SDCL 22-18-4.1 and 22-18-4.8.
Vermont is not a stand-your-ground state. Under case law from State v. Hatcher (1997) and 13 V.S.A. § 2305, Vermont imposes a conditional duty to retreat: retreat only if safe means exist.
Texas is a stand-your-ground state under Tex. Penal Code 9.32(c). Learn how castle doctrine, the 9.32(b) presumption, and civil immunity under CPRC 83.001 work in Texas (2026).
Is Pennsylvania a stand-your-ground state? Yes, conditionally. Learn the weapon-display rule, castle doctrine (18 Pa.C.S. § 505), and duty to retreat in 2026.
Oklahoma is a stand-your-ground state. 21 O.S. 1289.25 removes the duty to retreat, establishes a castle doctrine for home, vehicle, business, and place of worship, and grants criminal and civil immunity for justified force.
South Carolina stand-your-ground and castle doctrine explained. S.C. Code 16-11-440(C) removes duty to retreat; 16-11-440(A) creates presumption of reasonable fear for home, residence, and vehicle intrusions. Criminal and civil immunity under 16-11-450.