Stand Your Ground States: Interactive Map
Stand your ground laws address whether a person must retreat before using force in self-defense. The answer can depend on the location, the person’s conduct, and the circumstances of the threat. A no-retreat rule leaves the other requirements for lawful self-defense in place.
Concealed Nation’s stand your ground map focuses on retreat before deadly force across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Select a state to review its classification, conditions, and supporting sources.
Know the rules.
Before you go.
Explore carry and self-defense laws, state by state. Check the conditions. Follow the sources.
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How to read these maps
Permit recognition and permitless carry are separate questions. A colored state is a summary of the recorded rule, not a determination that you can legally carry. Age, residency, permit type, prohibited places and other conditions may apply.
“Recognition reported” means the available source lists a selected permit as recognized. “Check permit conditions” means a permit class, issue date, age rule or other condition needs attention. “Not confirmed” means the available information does not establish an answer; it is not the same as a prohibition.
The constitutional / permitless carry view describes general provisions for adults. It does not determine personal eligibility or cover every limited carry exception.
Self-defense maps summarize recorded classifications. Statutes, case law, the location and the facts all matter. Read the state notes and primary sources.
How to use the stand your ground map
- Select a state or search for it by name.
- Check whether the entry describes a statutory no-retreat rule, a rule from case law, a general safe-retreat requirement, or a qualified rule.
- Read the conditions and exceptions, including any differences involving the home or other locations.
- Open the cited sources and review the dates and any unresolved questions.
What does stand your ground mean?
In general, the term describes a rule allowing a person who meets the legal conditions to use otherwise justified defensive force without first retreating. The scope varies by jurisdiction. A statute may impose conditions involving lawful presence, criminal activity, or the nature of the threat.
For example, Florida Statutes §776.012 sets out requirements for defensive force and the circumstances in which a person has no duty to retreat. A state’s label alone cannot determine whether those requirements are satisfied in a particular incident.
What does a duty to retreat mean?
A retreat requirement concerns whether a person can safely avoid the need to use deadly force. The precise legal standard and exceptions matter. It should not be reduced to a blanket instruction to flee regardless of danger.
New York Penal Law §35.15, for example, addresses retreat with complete personal safety under its deadly-force self-defense provision and includes a dwelling exception for a person who is not the initial aggressor. Read the whole provision and the state entry rather than applying that example elsewhere.
Statutes and court decisions both matter
A no-retreat rule may be established by a statute or by court decisions. The absence of a statute called “Stand Your Ground” does not, by itself, answer the retreat question. The map distinguishes these legal sources and flags entries that require additional confirmation.
Stand your ground FAQ
Does stand your ground authorize deadly force whenever someone threatens me?
No. Whether deadly force is justified depends on the applicable law and the facts. Removing a duty to retreat does not remove requirements concerning the threat or the necessity of force.
Is stand your ground the same as castle doctrine?
They overlap, but address different questions. Stand your ground usually refers to retreat rules, including outside the home. Castle doctrine concerns home-defense protections, which may involve retreat rules, presumptions, and specified locations. Use the castle doctrine map for that separate comparison.
Can a self-defense incident still be investigated?
Yes. A no-retreat rule does not itself resolve whether the force was lawful. Any immunity from prosecution or civil action depends on the jurisdiction’s law and the facts. Florida’s immunity statute, for example, expressly permits standard investigative procedures.
Does this map tell me whether I may carry a firearm?
No. It addresses retreat rules. Carry eligibility, permit recognition, and prohibited locations require separate review.
How current are the classifications?
Check the information-update date and source-review dates shown on the map, then read the selected state’s notes. Those dates do not certify that every statute, later court decision, or exception has been fully reviewed.
Explore related maps
Browse all concealed carry maps and resources.
Report a correction
If you find an outdated rule or a missing detail, contact Concealed Nation with the state, the issue, and a link to an official source. Including the effective date helps us evaluate the change.
General information, not legal advice. Laws and court orders can change. Confirm the rules with current official sources and consult a qualified attorney about your circumstances.