Stand Your Ground in Wyoming
State-specific overview · Criminal Law
Wyoming recognizes stand-your-ground rights; no duty to retreat when using justified force.
How Wyoming treats Stand Your Ground
Wyoming allows you to stand your ground and use force, including deadly force, without retreating when you reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent death, serious bodily injury, or a felony. You have no duty to retreat from any place you have a legal right to be. Wyoming's statute broadly protects self-defense in homes, vehicles, workplaces, and public spaces, making it a comprehensive stand-your-ground jurisdiction with minimal retreat obligations.
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 Wyoming.