Texas Castle Doctrine & Stand Your Ground
Texas law allows you to use force (including deadly force) to protect yourself in your home, vehicle, or workplace, and you are not legally required to retreat before doing so.
Self Defense & Criminal
Laws filed under this category in plain English.
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Texas Open Carry Handgun Laws
Texas allows the open carry of handguns by individuals who are legally allowed to possess a firearm, without requiring a License to Carry (LTC).
Pennsylvania Castle Doctrine & Stand Your Ground
In Pennsylvania, you generally have no duty to retreat before using deadly force to defend yourself against an attacker in your home, vehicle, or workplace, provided you have a legal right to be there.
Georgia Constitutional Carry Law
As of 2022, Georgia is a 'Constitutional Carry' state. This means 'lawful weapons carriers' can carry a concealed or open handgun without needing a license from the state.
Missouri Second Amendment Preservation Act (SAPA)
SAPA declared that state and local police in Missouri cannot enforce federal gun laws that the state deems 'infringements' on the Second Amendment. Note: This law has faced significant federal court challenges.
Texas Permitless Carry Law
As of 2021, Texas is a 'Constitutional Carry' state, meaning eligible adults can carry a handgun in public without needing a License to Carry (LTC), background check, or state training.
Florida 'Stand Your Ground' Law
Florida was the first state to pass a modern 'Stand Your Ground' law, eliminating the duty to retreat before using deadly force to defend yourself in any place you have a legal right to be.
Oklahoma 'Make My Day' Law
Oklahoma's 'Make My Day' law provides absolute immunity from civil and criminal liability for using deadly force against an intruder in your home, business, or vehicle.
Iowa Constitutional Carry Law
In 2021, Iowa became a 'Constitutional Carry' state, meaning adults who can legally own a firearm no longer need a state permit to carry it concealed or openly.
Mississippi Second Amendment Preservation Act
Mississippi state law prohibits state and local law enforcement from participating in the enforcement of federal executive orders or agency rules that restrict gun rights.
New York SAFE Act (Gun Control)
The NY SAFE Act is one of the strictest gun control laws in the United States, banning the sale of 'assault weapons' and high-capacity magazines, and requiring background checks for all ammunition purchases.
Virginia 'Red Flag' Law (ERPO)
Virginia's Extreme Risk Protective Order (ERPO) law allows police and courts to temporarily confiscate firearms from individuals who are deemed a significant danger to themselves or others.
Hawaii Gun Laws (Permit to Acquire)
Hawaii has some of the lowest gun violence rates in the U.S., largely due to having some of the strictest gun control laws, requiring a police-issued permit for every single firearm purchase.
Florida Risk Protection Orders (Red Flag Law)
Passed immediately after the Parkland school shooting, this law allows police to temporarily confiscate guns and ammunition from people deemed a high risk to themselves or others.
New York Concealed Carry Improvement Act (CCIA)
After the Supreme Court struck down NY's old gun permit law in 2022, NY passed the CCIA. It makes getting a permit possible but strictly bans carrying guns in massive 'sensitive locations' and on all private property unless explicitly permitted.
Washington Assault Weapon Ban (HB 1240)
In 2023, Washington State passed one of the strictest gun control laws in the U.S., completely banning the sale, manufacture, and importation of 'assault weapons.'
Ohio Constitutional Carry Law (SB 215)
As of 2022, Ohio is a 'Constitutional Carry' state. Eligible adults can carry a concealed handgun without needing a license or taking mandatory safety training.
Illinois Firearm Concealed Carry Act
Illinois was the last state in the U.S. to legalize the concealed carry of firearms. The state requires a rigorous application process and mandates strict 'gun-free zones.'
New Jersey 'Ghost Gun' Ban
New Jersey legally criminalizes the purchasing, manufacturing, and possession of 'ghost guns'—untraceable firearms built from kits or created with 3D printers.
Florida Permitless Concealed Carry
As of July 2023, Florida allows anyone who meets the legal requirements for gun ownership to carry a concealed firearm without a government-issued permit or mandatory training.
Alabama Permitless Concealed Carry
As of 2023, Alabama no longer requires a state permit or background check to carry a concealed handgun in public, joining over two dozen other 'Constitutional Carry' states.
South Dakota Constitutional Carry
South Dakota allows adults who are not prohibited from owning a firearm to carry a concealed handgun without needing a state permit or passing a background check.
New Hampshire Constitutional Carry
In line with its 'Live Free or Die' motto, New Hampshire repealed its concealed carry permit requirement in 2017, allowing anyone who can legally own a gun to carry it concealed.