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Many states have enacted so-called stand your ground laws that remove the duty to retreat before using force in self-defense. Florida passed the first such law in 2005, generally allowing people to stand their ground instead of retreating if they reasonably believe doing so will "prevent death or great bodily harm."

Other states followed with laws specifically affirming one's right to defend themselves, even outside of their homes and with deadly force if necessary. The wording of each state's laws will vary, but typically require you to have the right to be at a location. State self-defense laws may also overlap, but generally fall into three general categories:

Here are the states that have passed stand your ground laws:

Note: Some states have adopted stand your ground-like doctrines through judicial interpretation of their self-defense laws -- but they are not included on this list.

Some states have self-defense laws on the books that are similar to stand your ground laws, often with at least one key difference. These laws generally apply only to the home or other real property (such as an office) and are often referred to as "castle doctrine" or "defense of habitation" laws. Most U.S. states have castle doctrine laws, including California, Illinois, Iowa, Oregon, and Washington.

Duty to Retreat States

On the other end of the legal spectrum, some states have laws imposing a duty to retreat. A duty to retreat generally means that you can't resort to deadly force in self-defense if you can safely avoid the risk of harm or death (by running away, for example). If thatis not an option, say if you were cornered or pinned down and facing serious harm or death, then you would be authorized to use deadly force in self defense. The following states impose some form of duty to retreat before using deadly self defense:

Note: Some states with castle doctrine laws also include a limited duty to retreat (like if simply going into your house and locking the doors is sufficient for self-defense).

New laws on self-defense crop up all the time. The statutes vary widely from state to state and may have minor, but crucial differences in their language and application. For an in depth understanding of self defense laws and how they work in your state, consider contacting a local criminal law attorney.

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States That Have Stand Your Ground Laws - FindLaw