Massachusetts's Castle Doctrine


In Massachusetts deadly force is legal when the person is in their home and the aggressor forced their way in and is about to severely injure or kill them. There is no duty to retreat when inside one's home.

Statute

ALM GL ch. 278, 8a; Mass. Ann. Laws ch.231 ยง 85U

What is Castle Doctrine?

Castle Laws are laws that address the use of force when defending one's self inside their home, or on their property. Some states expand this to vehicles, and the person's place of work. Castle Laws generally include: the places where this law applies, the requirements fro use of deadly force, if there is a duty to retreat, the amount of force that maybe used in defending one's self or others. These vary widely from state to state.


Other Massachusetts firearm laws

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