Castle Doctrine in WV

[Bob F.]

Makin' progress!
http://www.register-herald.com/local/local_story_065220729.html

Particularly like that part about always been that way, gonna make it law.

Denial of civil suit is the important part. hope its really in there. Legislature hasn't done squat on anything else important! Voted yes on their pay raise again!!!!!!!!!!!

Stay safe.
Bob

[johnster999]

Awesome. Good luck WV.

[Balog]

A friend asked me this the other day, and I was embarrassed to admit I didn't know. What states currently have a Castle Doctrine? I know Florida, but I'm drawing a blank other than that.

[Gewehr98]

Just a caveat - sometimes the term "Castle Doctrine" is misleading, and that's causing problems in CCW classes already.  Yes, there has been legislation passed to remove the duty to retreat when in one's domicile, but it doesn't remove the burden of proof for what is and what isn't considered a justifiable shooting - the "reasonable man" clause is still there.   

[HankB]

TX has a version of "Castle Doctrine" . . . it basically says that if you're in a place you have a legal right to be, you have no duty to retreat. If the situation justifies the use of deadly force, and you do, you have protection from civil proceedings.

The protections of the Castle Doctrine law do not come into play if you are engaged in criminal activity (selling dope, breaking & entering, etc.) and they do not apply if you employ deadly force in a situation not allowed for under the law.

No doubt the Castle Doctrine laws, even when enacted, differ from state to state . . . but the people who raise objections during the debates all seem to come from the same mold.