Quote:
Originally Posted by manaboutown
Only a few states require retreat and even those allow one to defend himself if retreat is not safe or possible. The majority rule does not require retreat. No states require retreat within one’s home.
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Given the complexity of the laws, it is safe to say most do, but you have to be careful as there are states with "Duty to Retreat" laws that could leave the door open for a prosecutor to charge someone who did not retreat when it was safe to do so. The states of which i am aware that have Duty to Retreat laws include: Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Rhode Island, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Keep in mind that the states that have adopted Castle Doctrine also don't all match 100% in how it was adopted.
A person would be foolish to shoot someone in what they claim is a self defense justified setting, and THEN begin reading about the law. The person in possession of a weapon has a duty to understand the laws and to follow them, if not, they can easily become wards of the state. I would certainly want to be VERY sure that I had no duty to retreat in my home, especially if I was in a Duty to Retreat state, no offense, before taking the word of either of us on this discussion board.