Self-Defense Laws by State: Stand Your Ground & Castle Doctrine (2026)
Self-Defense Laws by State: Stand Your Ground & Castle Doctrine (2026)
Self-defense law gives a person the legal right to use force, including deadly force, to protect themselves from imminent harm. About 38 states eliminate any duty to retreat before using force; the remaining states impose some duty to retreat in public, though every state recognizes the castle doctrine at home.
Information last verified on June 1, 2026.
Jurisdiction scope: This article addresses self-defense law across all 50 US states and the District of Columbia as of June 1, 2026. It covers stand-your-ground doctrine, castle doctrine, duty-to-retreat rules, deadly-force standards, and civil immunity statutes. It does not address federal self-defense law, military rules of engagement, or self-defense doctrines outside the United States.
The Three Doctrines Explained: Stand Your Ground, Duty to Retreat, and Castle Doctrine
Three related but distinct doctrines govern when and where a person may use force in self-defense. Stand-your-ground doctrine removes any legal obligation to retreat before using force when a person is in a place they are lawfully allowed to be. Duty-to-retreat doctrine, by contrast, requires a person to attempt retreat if they can do so safely before resorting to force, at least when the confrontation occurs in a public space. Castle doctrine is the oldest of the three and operates specifically within the home, a person's "castle," where the law has never required retreat; many states have codified it and extended the protection to occupied vehicles, workplaces, and sometimes any curtilage.
These three doctrines interact with a universal element: the reasonableness standard. A person invoking self-defense must have had a reasonable belief that force was necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm. Stand-your-ground and castle doctrine do not change the reasonableness requirement; they remove only the threshold obligation to flee first. The governing statutes vary significantly in how broadly they define "lawfully present," what locations qualify for the castle presumption, and whether a statutory immunity from prosecution applies at an early hearing before trial.
Stand-Your-Ground States vs. Duty-to-Retreat States
Roughly 38 states follow a stand-your-ground rule either by explicit statute or by binding case law. Florida codified the doctrine in 2005 through Fla. Stat. section 776.012; Arizona enacted a parallel statute at ARS section 13-405; and Texas does so at Tex. Penal Code section 9.31. Several other states reached the same result through case law without a formal statute. Colorado courts have long held there is no duty to retreat in Colorado, though the legislature codified a "Make My Day" law (C.R.S. section 18-1-704.5) confined to dwellings.
The duty-to-retreat states are Connecticut (CGS section 53a-19), Delaware (11 Del. C. section 464), Hawaii (HRS section 703-304), Maine (17-A M.R.S. section 108), Maryland (common law, Akers v. State 2025), Massachusetts (G.L. c. 278 section 8A and common law), Minnesota (Minn. Stat. section 609.065), Nebraska (Neb. Rev. Stat. section 28-1409), New Jersey (N.J.S.A. section 2C:3-4), New York (NY Penal Law section 35.15), Rhode Island (R.I.G.L. section 11-8-8), and Wisconsin (Wis. Stat. section 939.48). Pennsylvania, Vermont, and the District of Columbia apply mixed or conditional rules: duty to retreat applies in some circumstances but not others. Alaska enacted a full stand-your-ground rule in 2013 under AS 11.81.335 and no longer imposes a duty to retreat in public.
Even in duty-to-retreat states, retreat is never required if a person cannot retreat safely. Every jurisdiction recognizes that a person need not risk their own safety in the act of retreating.
Castle Doctrine and the Presumption of Reasonable Fear
Castle doctrine holds that a person defending their home has no duty to retreat and may use force, including deadly force, against an unlawful intruder. In many states, the statute goes further and creates a presumption that the homeowner had a reasonable fear of imminent death or great bodily harm whenever an intruder forcibly and unlawfully enters. This presumption shifts the burden: the prosecution must disprove reasonable fear rather than the defendant proving it.
Florida's castle doctrine is codified at Fla. Stat. section 776.013, which creates a presumption of reasonable fear when the defendant "knew or had reason to believe that an unlawful and forcible entry or unlawful and forcible act was occurring or had occurred." Michigan's MCL section 780.951 creates the same presumption. Texas Penal Code section 9.32(b) provides a presumption when an intruder unlawfully entered or was attempting to enter the actor's habitation, vehicle, or place of business or employment.
States differ considerably on how far the castle extends beyond the home. Many states, including Georgia (OCGA section 16-3-23), Indiana (IC section 35-41-3-2), Iowa (Iowa Code section 704.2A), Kentucky (KRS section 503.055), and Michigan (MCL section 780.951), expressly include an occupied vehicle. Oklahoma (21 O.S. section 1289.25), South Carolina (S.C. Code section 16-11-440), and Tennessee (T.C.A. section 39-11-611) add the workplace to the protected locations. States such as Maine, New Jersey, and New York limit the castle protection to the dwelling with no vehicle or workplace extension.
When Deadly Force Is Justified and When Self-Defense Fails
Across all 51 jurisdictions, deadly force is justified only when a person reasonably believes it is immediately necessary to prevent imminent death or serious bodily injury to themselves or another person. "Reasonable belief" is an objective standard evaluated from the perspective of a reasonable person in the same situation; it is not purely subjective.
Self-defense claims fail in several well-established circumstances. First, the initial aggressor rule bars self-defense for a person who provokes or initiates the confrontation, unless that person clearly withdraws from the fight and communicates that withdrawal. Second, the excessive-force rule bars a deadly-force response to a threat that was not deadly; a person struck with a fist generally cannot respond with a firearm and claim self-defense. Third, some states apply a mutual combat bar, where two people who willingly engage in a fight cannot independently claim self-defense. Fourth, voluntary intoxication is not a defense to criminal charges and may undercut the reasonableness of the claimed belief.
Watch out: Even in a stand-your-ground state, a person who verbally provokes a confrontation and then escalates it to deadly force has likely forfeited the stand-your-ground protection. The initial aggressor rule applies regardless of retreat doctrine.
Civil and Criminal Immunity
About 30 states have enacted statutory immunity provisions that allow a defendant to seek dismissal before trial at an immunity hearing. Florida's immunity statute is at Fla. Stat. section 776.032, which bars criminal prosecution and civil suit when the stand-your-ground defense applies. Indiana's civil immunity provision (IC section 34-30-31) was added in 2019. Colorado's "Make My Day" law at C.R.S. section 18-1-704.5 grants both criminal and civil immunity. Alabama's Ala. Code section 13A-3-23 was amended in 2026 by Act 2026-493 to shift the burden at an immunity hearing to the prosecution to disprove self-defense by clear and convincing evidence.
States without a statutory immunity provision, including California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Vermont, leave defendants to assert self-defense as an affirmative defense at trial rather than obtaining pre-trial dismissal.
The presence of criminal immunity does not automatically bar a civil lawsuit in every state. Florida's section 776.032 bars both, but in states where only criminal immunity exists, a person found criminally justified may still face a wrongful-death or battery claim.
Recent Changes to Stand-Your-Ground and Castle Laws
Several significant legislative changes have occurred since 2021.
Ohio SB175 (effective April 6, 2021) eliminated Ohio's former duty to retreat, making Ohio a stand-your-ground state. The amendment is codified at ORC section 2901.09. It also provides at section 2901.05 that the prosecution bears the burden of disproving self-defense beyond a reasonable doubt.
North Dakota HB1498 (effective August 1, 2021) enacted a statewide no-retreat rule. The relevant provision is at NDCC section 12.1-05-07.1, which allows use of force in any location where the person is lawfully present.
Alabama Act 2026-493 amended Ala. Code section 13A-3-23 so that at an immunity hearing, the prosecution bears the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant's use of force was not justified. This burden-shift significantly strengthens pre-trial dismissal for Alabama self-defense claimants.
Utah H.B. 189 (2024) expanded the castle presumption to cover the person's occupied vehicle under Utah Code section 76-2-405.
South Dakota HB1212 (2021) codified a stand-your-ground rule for South Dakota, providing no-retreat protection in any place the person has a right to be.
Self-Defense Laws by State: 51-Jurisdiction Comparison Table
The table below summarizes the stand-your-ground status, public duty-to-retreat rule, castle doctrine scope, and key governing statute for all 50 states and DC. State names link to the full spoke page for that jurisdiction.
| State | Stand your ground? | Duty to retreat (public)? | Castle doctrine scope | Key statute |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes (statute) | No | Home, vehicle, anywhere lawful; presumption yes | Ala. Code 13A-3-23 |
| Alaska | Yes (statute) | No | Home, workplace; no presumption | AS 11.81.335 |
| Arizona | Yes (statute) | No | Home, any lawful place; felony-prevention presumption | ARS 13-405, 13-411 |
| Arkansas | Yes (statute) | No | Home; presumption yes | ACA 5-2-607, 5-2-608 |
| California | No statutory SYG | Yes (in practice) | Home only; presumption under PC 198.5 | Cal. PC 197-199, 198.5 |
| Colorado | Yes (case law) | No | Dwelling only; "Make My Day" criminal and civil immunity | CRS 18-1-704, 18-1-704.5 |
| Connecticut | No | Yes | Home, workplace; no presumption | CGS 53a-19 |
| Delaware | No | Yes | Home, workplace; no presumption | 11 Del. C. 464 |
| Florida | Yes (statute) | No | Dwelling, residence, occupied vehicle; presumption yes | Fla. Stat. 776.012, 776.013, 776.032 |
| Georgia | Yes (statute) | No | Home, occupied vehicle, business | OCGA 16-3-21, 16-3-23, 16-3-23.1 |
| Hawaii | No | Yes | Home, business; no presumption | HRS 703-304 |
| Idaho | Yes (statute) | No | Home, business, vehicle; presumption yes | Idaho Code 18-4009, 19-202A |
| Illinois | Yes (case law) | No | Home only; no presumption | 720 ILCS 5/7-1, 5/7-2 |
| Indiana | Yes (statute) | No | Dwelling, curtilage, occupied vehicle | IC 35-41-3-2 |
| Iowa | Yes (statute) | No | Dwelling, business, vehicle; presumption yes | Iowa Code 704.2A, 704.3, 704.13 |
| Kansas | Yes (statute) | No | Dwelling, workplace, vehicle | KSA 21-5222, 21-5223 |
| Kentucky | Yes (statute) | No | Dwelling, residence, vehicle | KRS 503.050, 503.055 |
| Louisiana | Yes (statute) | No | Home, vehicle, business; presumption yes | La. RS 14:19, 14:20 |
| Maine | No | Yes | Home only; no presumption | 17-A M.R.S. 108 |
| Maryland | No (case law) | Yes | Home, curtilage (common law); no statutory presumption | Common law (Akers v. State 2025) |
| Massachusetts | No | Yes (with exceptions) | Home, business; no presumption | G.L. c. 278 s. 8A |
| Michigan | Yes (statute) | No | Home, business, occupied vehicle; presumption yes | MCL 780.972, 780.951 |
| Minnesota | No | Yes | Home ("abode") only; no presumption | Minn. Stat. 609.065, 609.06 |
| Mississippi | Yes (statute) | No | Home, vehicle, business; presumption yes | Miss. Code 97-3-15 |
| Missouri | Yes (statute) | No | Home, dwelling, leased premises, occupied vehicle | RSMo 563.031 |
| Montana | Yes (statute) | No | Home ("occupied structure") only; no presumption | MCA 45-3-102, 45-3-103 |
| Nebraska | No | Yes | Home, workplace; no presumption | Neb. Rev. Stat. 28-1409 |
| Nevada | Yes (statute) | No | Home, occupied vehicle; presumption yes | NRS 200.120, 200.130 |
| New Hampshire | Yes (statute) | No | Home, curtilage, anywhere right to be | RSA 627:4 |
| New Jersey | No | Yes | Dwelling only; no presumption | N.J.S.A. 2C:3-4 |
| New Mexico | Yes (case law) | No | Home; no statutory presumption | NMSA 30-2-7 |
| New York | No | Yes | Dwelling only; no presumption | NY Penal Law 35.15 |
| North Carolina | Yes (statute) | No | Home, workplace, vehicle; presumption yes | N.C.G.S. 14-51.2, 14-51.3 |
| North Dakota | Yes (statute) | No | Home, workplace, occupied motorhome or trailer; presumption yes | NDCC 12.1-05-07.1 |
| Ohio | Yes (statute) | No | Home, vehicle; presumption yes | ORC 2901.09, 2901.05 |
| Oklahoma | Yes (statute) | No | Home, vehicle, business, place of worship; presumption yes | 21 O.S. 1289.25 |
| Oregon | Yes (case law) | No | Home; no presumption | ORS 161.209, 161.219 |
| Pennsylvania | Mixed | Yes (with exceptions) | Home, workplace, occupied vehicle; presumption yes | 18 Pa.C.S. 505 |
| Rhode Island | No | Yes | Home only; presumption yes under 11-8-8 | R.I.G.L. 11-8-8 |
| South Carolina | Yes (statute) | No | Home, vehicle, business; presumption yes | S.C. Code 16-11-440, 16-11-450 |
| South Dakota | Yes (statute) | No | Home; presumption yes | SDCL 22-18-4 |
| Tennessee | Yes (statute) | No | Home, vehicle, business; presumption yes | T.C.A. 39-11-611, 39-11-622 |
| Texas | Yes (statute) | No | Home, vehicle, business; presumption yes | Tex. Penal Code 9.31, 9.32 |
| Utah | Yes (statute) | No | Home, vehicle, business; presumption yes | Utah Code 76-2-402, 76-2-405 |
| Vermont | Yes (case law) | Yes (with exceptions) | Home (common law) | 13 V.S.A. 2305; State v. Hatcher |
| Virginia | Yes (case law) | No | Home, curtilage (common law) | Common law (Foote; Horne) |
| Washington | Yes (case law) | No | Home, abode | RCW 9A.16.050 |
| West Virginia | Yes (statute) | No | Home, statewide no-retreat if lawfully present | W. Va. Code 55-7-22 |
| Wisconsin | No (castle presumption only) | Yes (with exceptions) | Home, vehicle, business; presumption yes | Wis. Stat. 939.48 |
| Wyoming | Yes (statute) | No | Home, vehicle, public; presumption yes | W.S. 6-2-602 |
| District of Columbia | Mixed | Yes (with exceptions) | Home (common law) | Common law (Gillis v. US 1979) |
Disclaimer: Use-of-force incidents carry serious criminal and civil consequences. Self-defense law is highly fact-specific; the outcome of any particular case depends on the precise facts, the jurisdiction, and how a jury evaluates reasonableness. This article presents general legal information as of June 1, 2026. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Anyone involved in or anticipating a self-defense situation should consult a licensed criminal-defense attorney in their jurisdiction immediately.
Sources
- Ala. Code section 13A-3-23, Self-defense (as amended by Act 2026-493). https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/
- AS 11.81.335, Justification: Use of force in defense of self. https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes.asp#11.81.335
- ARS 13-405, Justification; use of deadly physical force. https://www.azleg.gov/ars/13/00405.htm
- ACA 5-2-607 and 5-2-608, Justification - Use of physical force; use of deadly physical force. https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/
- Cal. Penal Code sections 197-199, 198.5, Justifiable homicide; lawful resistance; presumption for home. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=198.5.&lawCode=PEN
- C.R.S. 18-1-704 and 18-1-704.5, Use of physical force in defense; use of deadly force against intruder. https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-18.pdf
- CGS 53a-19, Use of physical force in defense of person. https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_952.htm
- 11 Del. C. section 464, Justification - Use of force in self-protection. https://delcode.delaware.gov/title11/c004/sc02/
- Fla. Stat. sections 776.012, 776.013, 776.032, Use of force; home protection; immunity. https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2023/776.032
- OCGA sections 16-3-21, 16-3-23, 16-3-23.1, 16-3-24.2, Use of force; defense of habitation; immunity. https://law.georgia.gov/
- HRS 703-304, Use of force in self-protection. https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol14_Ch0701-0853/HRS0703/HRS_0703-0304.htm
- Idaho Code sections 18-4009, 19-202A, Justifiable homicide; civil immunity. https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/Title18/T18CH40/SECT18-4009/
- 720 ILCS 5/7-1 and 5/7-2, Use of force in defense of person; defense of dwelling. https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=072000050HArt.+7&ActID=1876
- IC 35-41-3-2, Use of force to protect person or property; IC 34-30-31, civil immunity. https://iga.in.gov/laws/2024/ic/titles/35#35-41-3-2
- Iowa Code sections 704.2A, 704.3, 704.13, Justification; use of force; immunity. https://www.legis.iowa.gov/law/iowaCode/sections?codeChapter=704
- KSA 21-5222, 21-5223, 21-5231, Use of force in defense of a person; immunity. https://kslegislature.org/li_2024/b2023_24/statute/021_000_0000_chapter/021_052_0000_article/
- KRS 503.050, 503.055, 503.085, Use of physical force; use of force in defense of dwelling; criminal justice proceedings immunity. https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=19396
- La. RS 14:19, 14:20, Use of force or violence in defense; justifiable homicide. https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=78337
- 17-A M.R.S. section 108, Use of force in self-protection. https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/17-A/title17-Asec108.html
- Maryland common law on self-defense (Akers v. State, Md. App. 2025). https://www.courts.state.md.us/
- G.L. c. 278 section 8A, Defense of dwelling; common law self-defense. https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleII/Chapter278/Section8A
- MCL 780.972, 780.951, Use of deadly force; presumption of reasonable belief. https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=MCL-780-951
- Minn. Stat. sections 609.065, 609.06, Justifiable taking of life; use of force. https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.065
- Miss. Code section 97-3-15, Justifiable homicide; castle doctrine presumption. https://law.lis.ms.gov/
- RSMo section 563.031, Use of force in defense of persons. https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=563.031
- MCA sections 45-3-102, 45-3-103, 45-3-110, Use of force in defense; justifiable use of force; civil immunity. https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0030/part_0010/sections_index.html
- Neb. Rev. Stat. section 28-1409, Use of force in self-protection. https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=28-1409
- NRS 200.120, 200.130, 41.095, Justifiable homicide; civil immunity. https://www.leg.state.nv.us/NRS/NRS-200.html#NRS200Sec120
- RSA 627:4, Physical force in defense of a person. https://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/LXII/627/627-4.htm
- N.J.S.A. 2C:3-4, Use of force in self-protection. https://njleg.state.nj.us/
- NMSA 30-2-7, Justifiable homicide by citizen. https://laws.nm.gov/
- NY Penal Law section 35.15, Justification; use of physical force in defense of a person. https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/35.15
- N.C.G.S. sections 14-51.2, 14-51.3, Home, workplace, and motor vehicle protection; defense of person. https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_14/GS_14-51.2.html
- NDCC sections 12.1-05-07, 12.1-05-07.1, 12.1-05-07.2, Use of force; no duty to retreat (HB1498, 2021). https://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t12-1c05.pdf
- ORC sections 2901.09, 2901.05, No duty to retreat; burden of proof on self-defense (SB175, 2021). https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-2901.09
- 21 O.S. section 1289.25, Physical or deadly force against intruder. https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=137168
- ORS sections 161.209, 161.219, Use of physical force in defense; no duty to retreat in dwelling. https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors161.html
- 18 Pa.C.S. section 505, Use of force in self-protection. https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=18&div=0&chpt=5&sctn=5&subsctn=0
- R.I.G.L. section 11-8-8, Killing or disabling person breaking and entering. https://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/Statutes/TITLE11/11-8/11-8-8.HTM
- S.C. Code sections 16-11-440, 16-11-450, Protection of persons and property; immunity (Act 171, 2024). https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t16c011.php
- SDCL section 22-18-4, Justifiable use of force (HB1212, 2021). https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/22-18-4
- T.C.A. sections 39-11-611, 39-11-622, Defense of self; defense of property; civil immunity. https://advance.lexis.com/api/permalink/ - primary at https://www.tn.gov/lawlibrary.html
- Tex. Penal Code sections 9.31, 9.32, Self-defense; deadly force in defense of person. https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PE/htm/PE.9.htm
- Utah Code sections 76-2-402, 76-2-405, Force in defense of person; force in defense of habitation (H.B. 189, 2024). https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title76/Chapter2/76-2-S402.html
- 13 V.S.A. section 2305; State v. Hatcher, (Vt. 1997). https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/13/053/02305
- Virginia common law on self-defense (Foote v. Commonwealth; Horne v. Commonwealth). https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/
- RCW 9A.16.050, Homicide - by other person - when justifiable (State v. Studd, 1999). https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9A.16.050
- W. Va. Code section 55-7-22, Civil immunity for justified use of force. https://code.wvlegislature.gov/55-7-22/
- Wis. Stat. section 939.48, Self-defense and defense of others. https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/939/IV/48
- W.S. section 6-2-602, Homicide - Justifiable use of deadly force. https://wyoleg.gov/statutes/compress/title06.pdf
- DC Code and common law (Gillis v. United States, 1979). https://code.dccouncil.gov/
- National Conference of State Legislatures, Self-Defense and Stand Your Ground. https://www.ncsl.org/civil-and-criminal-justice/self-defense-and-stand-your-ground
Last updated: June 1, 2026. Statutes cited reflect their in-force version as of June 1, 2026.
Sources and References
- Ala. Code 13A-3-23, Self-defense (as amended by Act 2026-493)(alison.legislature.state.al.us).gov
- AS 11.81.335, Justification: Use of force in defense of self(akleg.gov).gov
- ARS 13-405, Justification; use of deadly physical force(azleg.gov).gov
- Cal. Penal Code section 198.5, Presumption for home protection(leginfo.legislature.ca.gov).gov
- C.R.S. 18-1-704 and 18-1-704.5, Use of force; Make My Day law(leg.colorado.gov).gov
- CGS 53a-19, Use of physical force in defense of person(cga.ct.gov).gov
- 11 Del. C. section 464, Justification — Use of force in self-protection(delcode.delaware.gov).gov
- Fla. Stat. sections 776.012, 776.013, 776.032, Use of force; home protection; immunity(flsenate.gov).gov
- HRS 703-304, Use of force in self-protection(capitol.hawaii.gov).gov
- Idaho Code 18-4009 and 19-202A, Justifiable homicide; civil immunity(legislature.idaho.gov).gov
- 720 ILCS 5/7-1 and 5/7-2, Use of force in defense of person; defense of dwelling(ilga.gov).gov
- IC 35-41-3-2, Use of force to protect person or property; IC 34-30-31 civil immunity(iga.in.gov).gov
- Iowa Code 704.2A, 704.3, 704.13, Justification; use of force; immunity(legis.iowa.gov).gov
- KSA 21-5222, 21-5223, 21-5231, Use of force in defense of a person; immunity(kslegislature.org).gov
- KRS 503.050, 503.055, 503.085, Use of physical force; defense of dwelling; immunity(apps.legislature.ky.gov).gov
- La. RS 14:19 and 14:20, Use of force in defense; justifiable homicide(legis.la.gov).gov
- 17-A M.R.S. section 108, Use of force in self-protection(legislature.maine.gov).gov
- G.L. c. 278 section 8A, Defense of dwelling(malegislature.gov).gov
- MCL 780.972 and 780.951, Use of deadly force; presumption of reasonable belief(legislature.mi.gov).gov
- Minn. Stat. 609.065 and 609.06, Justifiable taking of life; use of force(revisor.mn.gov).gov
- Neb. Rev. Stat. section 28-1409, Use of force in self-protection(nebraskalegislature.gov).gov
- NRS 200.120, 200.130, 41.095, Justifiable homicide; civil immunity(leg.state.nv.us).gov
- RSA 627:4, Physical force in defense of a person(gencourt.state.nh.us).gov
- NY Penal Law 35.15, Justification; use of physical force in defense of a person(nysenate.gov).gov
- N.C.G.S. 14-51.2 and 14-51.3, Home and workplace protection; defense of person(ncleg.gov).gov
- NDCC 12.1-05-07.1, No duty to retreat (HB1498, 2021)(legis.nd.gov).gov
- ORC 2901.09 and 2901.05, No duty to retreat; burden of proof on self-defense (SB175, 2021)(codes.ohio.gov).gov
- 21 O.S. 1289.25, Physical or deadly force against intruder(oscn.net).gov
- ORS 161.209 and 161.219, Use of physical force in defense; no duty to retreat in dwelling(oregonlegislature.gov).gov
- 18 Pa.C.S. 505, Use of force in self-protection(legis.state.pa.us).gov
- R.I.G.L. 11-8-8, Killing or disabling person breaking and entering(rilin.state.ri.us).gov
- S.C. Code 16-11-440 and 16-11-450, Protection of persons and property; immunity (Act 171, 2024)(scstatehouse.gov).gov
- SDCL 22-18-4, Justifiable use of force (HB1212, 2021)(sdlegislature.gov).gov
- Tex. Penal Code 9.31 and 9.32, Self-defense; deadly force in defense of person(statutes.capitol.texas.gov).gov
- Utah Code 76-2-402 and 76-2-405, Force in defense of person; force in defense of habitation (H.B. 189, 2024)(le.utah.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. section 2305, Killing in self-defense(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- RCW 9A.16.050, Homicide — by other person — when justifiable(app.leg.wa.gov).gov
- W. Va. Code 55-7-22, Civil immunity for justified use of force(code.wvlegislature.gov).gov
- Wis. Stat. 939.48, Self-defense and defense of others(docs.legis.wisconsin.gov).gov
- W.S. 6-2-602, Homicide — Justifiable use of deadly force(wyoleg.gov).gov
- DC Code and common law (Gillis v. United States, 1979)(code.dccouncil.gov).gov
- National Conference of State Legislatures, Self-Defense and Stand Your Ground(ncsl.org)