The Flaws in Self Defense Laws in America

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Self Defense Are Important To Us Americans
“It’s been said that a man’s home is his castle, but what rights does this afford a homeowner in defense of this castle?” (Purves). People take advantage of this law to use deadly weapons to supposedly defend them. They do not even think about getting away from situations where they feel like they could end up in danger, they feel like they are allowed to use our guns under the Castle Doctrine laws. “The Castle Doctrine gives citizens in their homes – and in some states, cars or workplaces the right to protect themselves, other people, and their property by force – in some instances even deadly force” (Purves). Allowing people to use violence instead of self defense, half the states allow to this occur. “The laws differ from state to state, and what may be considered self defense in one state, might be grounds for a murder or manslaughter, indictment in another” (Purves). Half the states say people should just leave so it does not escalate to bigger conflicts which are the best way to handle a situation. “States like California allow citizens to protect their homes with deadly force if they feel that they or another person are in physical danger” (Purves). The person needs to be sure that they are in danger before even thinking about using deadly force and this is how it should be in every state. Every state should be like California in the duty to retreat law, and it needs to be changed soon because innocent people are dying.
One problem to this ongoing violence is the no duty to retreat law which is saying that you can stand your ground and fight. “A person who is not engaged is an unlawful activity and who is attacked in any other place where he or she had a right to be has no duty to...

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Gavin, Mary L. “Self Defense Kids Health.” Teens Health. Nemours Foundation, May 2013.
Web. 23 Oct 2013.
Glifford, Bill and Becca Zeifman. “Stuck to Our Guns.” eLibrary. Mens Health, 01 Sep. 2005.
Web. 25 Oct. 2013.
Kellman, Laurie. “Trayvon’s Mom: Clarify Stand Your Ground Laws.” Yahoo News. Yahoo
News, 29 Oct. 2013. Web. 30 Oct. 2013.
Purves, Brendan. “Castle Doctrine from State to State.” The House Issue. South University, n.d.
n.p. Web. 31 Oct. 2013.
“Stand Your Ground Law: Defense vs Agression.” TheLedger.com. TheLedger.com, 13 Aug.
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White, Jeremy B. “Does California, Like Florida, Have ‘Stand Your Ground’ Law?”
SacBee.com. Sacramento Bee, 18 July 2013. Web. 31 Oct. 2013.

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