Stand Your Ground in Missouri
State-specific overview · Criminal Law
Missouri permits stand-your-ground self-defense in any place you have a legal right to be without a duty to retreat.
How Missouri treats Stand Your Ground
Missouri recognizes stand-your-ground rights under its self-defense statute. You have no duty to retreat and may use reasonable force, including deadly force, to protect yourself or others from imminent harm when in any place you have a legal right to occupy. Missouri also provides civil immunity and criminal immunity for justified use of force. The state does not require you to attempt escape before defending yourself with force.
The general definition of Stand Your Ground
A law allowing a person to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves without a duty to retreat.
Stand your ground laws permit a person to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves against a threat without first trying to escape or avoid the danger. These laws eliminate the traditional legal duty to retreat before using force. They apply in places where a person has a legal right to be, such as their home, workplace, or public spaces. Stand your ground laws are controversial because they expand when people can legally use deadly force, and they vary significantly by state.
Read the full Stand Your Ground entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Missouri.