Duty To Retreat
Last reviewed: May 3, 2026
Permitted
Partial
Restricted
Informational
Showing 51 states
| State | Duty to Retreat | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Alaska | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Arizona | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Arkansas | No | Restricted |
| California | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Colorado | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Connecticut | Duty to Retreat before using Deadly Force except when in your dwelling | Restricted |
| Delaware | Duty to Retreat before using Deadly Force except when in your dwelling (464-465) | Restricted |
| District of Columbia | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Florida | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Georgia | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Hawaii | Duty to Retreat before using Deadly Force except when in your dwelling (703-304) | Restricted |
| Idaho | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Illinois | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Indiana | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Iowa | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Kansas | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Kentucky | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Louisiana | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Maine | Duty to Retreat before using Deadly Force except when in your dwelling (108.2) | Restricted |
| Maryland | Duty to Retreat before using Deadly Force except when in your dwelling (Barton v. State) | Restricted |
| Massachusetts | Duty to Retreat before using ANY force except when in your dwelling (278-8a) | Restricted |
| Michigan | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Minnesota | Duty to Retreat before using any Force except when in your dwelling (State v. Glowacki) | Restricted |
| Mississippi | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Missouri | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Montana | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Nebraska | Duty to Retreat before using Deadly Force except when in your dwelling (28-1409) | Restricted |
| Nevada | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| New Hampshire | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| New Jersey | Duty to Retreat before using Deadly Force except when in your dwelling (2c:3-4) | Restricted |
| New Mexico | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| New York | Duty to Retreat before using Deadly Force except when in your dwelling (35-15) | Restricted |
| North Carolina | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| North Dakota | No Duty To Retreat. HB1498 Effective 8/1/21 | Permitted |
| Ohio | No | Permitted |
| Oklahoma | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Oregon | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Pennsylvania | No duty to retreat if . . . (he) believes it is immediately necessary to do so to protect himself against death, serious bodily injury, kidnapping, or sexual intercourse by force or threat.” See 18 Pa.C.S. § 505(b)(2.3) | Permitted |
| Rhode Island | Duty to Retreat before using Deadly Force except when in your dwelling (11-8-08) | Restricted |
| South Carolina | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| South Dakota | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Tennessee | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Texas | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Utah | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Vermont | No duty to retreat if the deadly force was immediately necessary to defend against imminent threat of death or bodily injury | Permitted |
| Virginia | No duty to retreat unless defendant made a contribution to the affray | Informational |
| Washington | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| West Virginia | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Wisconsin | No Duty to Retreat | Permitted |
| Wyoming | Case by case basis | Informational |
Disclaimer:
While Concealed Carry Inc strives to maintain legal reference information updated on this website; you as the reader and gun owner are responsible to do any and all necessary research and consult with a local attorney before making any decisions. Concealed Carry Inc is not liable for any misinformation, inaccuracies, or actions taken based on this information. We are not attorneys and this information is not legal advice. If you see any information you feel is outdated or incorrect please contact us.
Legal Summaries for all 50 states are available free on our site and mobile app.
While Concealed Carry Inc strives to maintain legal reference information updated on this website; you as the reader and gun owner are responsible to do any and all necessary research and consult with a local attorney before making any decisions. Concealed Carry Inc is not liable for any misinformation, inaccuracies, or actions taken based on this information. We are not attorneys and this information is not legal advice. If you see any information you feel is outdated or incorrect please contact us.
Legal Summaries for all 50 states are available free on our site and mobile app.
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