Has your state adopted the Castle Doctrine?

Yes. WV governor Joe Manchin signed The castle doctrine bill on March 12 2008.
Senate Bill 145 took affect on April 10 2008.


SB145 will permit law-abiding citizens to use force, including deadly force, against an attacker in their homes and any places outside of their home where they have a legal right to be.* It is clearly stated that there is no “duty to retreat” from an attacker, allowing law-abiding citizens to stand their ground to protect themselves and their family.* SB145 also protects individuals from civil lawsuits by the attacker or the attacker’s family when force is used.*

In my state (wisconsin) if someone breaks into my home I am expected to leave. I can only defend myself not my property. The only time I can use deadly force is if someone attacks me with a weapon to kill me

isnt that the only time you would want to use deadly force? if they are unarmed and without any weapon no need to use deadly force....then again a smaller male or female might need to use deadly force if they cant fight off someone even without a weapon but if people worry that much take self defence classes.

I take a harsh view on anyone breaking into my home.I feel anyone illegally entering my home is a threat to my life period. Its dark and I'm in bed asleep and someone kicks in my door and enters my home. Is he armed? does he plan to harm me? I don't know his intentions. At this point I feel my life is in danger and will take the steps to ensure my saftey. What ever happens to the bad guy is his fault not mine.

Hi Bobbi,
Another thought on the deadly force subject. How do you know if the intruder is armed? Do you wait for him to shoot at you first? It's dark you just got woke up by the noise of your door being kicked in. You see the intruder and ask excuse me are you armed? I think not. I think 9 out of 10 people would defend themselves in the confusing seconds after being woke and react as if they are in danger of being killed.

Hi
Iam not arguing i just like to look from all veiws. If anyone tried to harm one hair on my childrens head i wouldnt think twise, and as you say how do you what the intent is and if they are armed. I have 2 dogs to alert us if anyone tried to break in and if they did get past the dogs by that time 911 would have been called and my kids ,myself would be hidden. Again thats one side who says my dogs arent killed, im caught trying to get my kids or my phone etc....i just hope to never know

Soooo.. (Bobbi's my wife)...

So everyone knows..

If someone broke into our house at 2am they'd be shot at. I'd go to jail no problem for the life of my wife/kids - no matter what the Pennsylvania law says.

Hi Rob and Bobbi,
I to hope I never find myself in that kind of situation. What I do not understand is how a state, local, or federal Govt can dictate what our response should be. As I responded to Bobbi earlier you do not have time to evaluate the situation, you only have time to react to ensure your survival and safty of your loved ones. Rob it's great your wife is involved in this. My wife was scared of any firearm as is my current girlfriend. I'm hoping I can get her to see the light, and get her to the range someday soon.
Take care everyone and stay safe

All of you make very good points. I think its safe to assume that if someone has broke into your house in the middle of the night that they are not wanting to borrow sugar. With that being said you may only have a few seconds to determine if the intruder is there to rob you, kill you, or both. Should a BG enter my home in the middle of the night they will find a blinding light in their face with a demand for them to hit the floor, if the BG makes an aggressive move in any manor they will be taking a minimum of 2 shots to the chest and 1 to the head. But I pray everyday that I will never find myself in this situation.

honestly, i'd shoot first ask questions later.... what jury isn't going to side with that?

I said it before and I'll say It again,dprice and I see it the same way. Currently in Wisconsin I am required to retreat from an intruder IN MY HOME.
Thankfully I received a letter from my State Rep Andy Jorgenson supporting AB193 which is the Castle Doctrine.He also co-authored the bill.I thank Andy and his commitment to the citizens of this great state(although sometimes misguided about 2A rights) I mean the state not Andy. Any time someone intrudes in your home you should consider it a life threatning situation and take action you feel proper to ensure your saftey.

As a resident of the "great state" of New Jersey, we have a duty to retreat if someone breaks into home. The way I look at it, if someone breaks into my house with the intent of harming myself or my family with a deadly weapon, they will be met with equal force. While this could land me in jail, I can live with myself knowing that my family is safe. Makes me want to move back to FL...

wechsc7e,
Brother I feel your pain. To steal a phrase(again) better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6. We are gaining day by day our rights, state by state. The libs are scared and making up lies about normal law abiding citizens daily about our right to bear arms. Please take the time to educate yourself and others about the people you elect to office. They are there to serve we the people.

blackriderhank said:

In my state (wisconsin) if someone breaks into my home I am expected to leave. I can only defend myself not my property. The only time I can use deadly force is if someone attacks me with a weapon to kill me

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Doesn't even square with English common law - see Black's dictionary. No man should be compelled to flee his home.

Rob said:

Soooo.. (Bobbi's my wife)...

So everyone knows..

If someone broke into our house at 2am they'd be shot at. I'd go to jail no problem for the life of my wife/kids - no matter what the Pennsylvania law says.

Click to expand...

That's not the law in PA. You don't have to leave your home or place of busness. HB40 is up for a vote on May 25th.

wechsc7e said:

As a resident of the "great state" of New Jersey, we have a duty to retreat if someone breaks into home. The way I look at it, if someone breaks into my house with the intent of harming myself or my family with a deadly weapon, they will be met with equal force. While this could land me in jail, I can live with myself knowing that my family is safe. Makes me want to move back to FL...

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See above and consider moving

In Ohio the castle doctrine pass in 2008. so there is no concerns for fellow Ohioans.

Rob said:

I'm assuming you know what the Castle Doctrine is - if you own a gun (or guns) then you'd better make sure you're aware of your rights here...

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Florida took it one step further, October 5th, 2005. Anyone who is standing on my property (INCLUDING easements) who I deem a threat to me, my family, my home or my property is entitled to two in the chest and one in the head. Previous to this 10-5-05 law, someone had to be IN my home and not attempting to leave before I was authorized to use force. They could have my youngest child in their arms, and if they attempted to leave I was unauthorized to use deadly force (with a firearm. NO MAN would survive an attempt on a kidnapping of one of my kids, gun or no gun and law be damned). Not so now. HOWEVER, the law has been perverted in it's meaning by Gang members in the state and some have actually been acquitted due to unscrupulous lawyers who twist the facts for their own paycheck purposes.

wechsc7e said:

As a resident of the "great state" of New Jersey, we have a duty to retreat if someone breaks into home. The way I look at it, if someone breaks into my house with the intent of harming myself or my family with a deadly weapon, they will be met with equal force. While this could land me in jail, I can live with myself knowing that my family is safe. Makes me want to move back to FL...

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Hey, in THIS day and age Prison isn't so bad. Two hots, a cold and a cot. $4 Medical copay, $4 Dental after 6 months, LOL! I have been an Officer in one for 14 years now. TIP: Simply don't look scared or intimidated and make people think you are a little bit psycho and you won't have any problems. Trust me, it's worked for me for 14 years, hahaha!

WarDawg45 said:

Hey, in THIS day and age Prison isn't so bad. Two hots, a cold and a cot. $4 Medical copay, $4 Dental after 6 months, LOL! I have been an Officer in one for 14 years now. TIP: Simply don't look scared or intimidated and make people think you are a little bit psycho and you won't have any problems. Trust me, it's worked for me for 14 years, hahaha!

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I hate to hijack, but I have to ask. Are frequent complaints to the block sergeant about that CO being crazy a good start? I've only been doing it 11 months.

What happened to HB40 in PA?

I did a search and couldn't find what happened to it.