Missouri’s self-defense law differs from Florida’s

Missouri’s self-defense law differs from Florida’s

click link above   some stuff folks should know in this state.  Illinois law varies from Missouri

snip from article


 The controversial killing of an unarmed teenager last month, and the self-defense claim used to justify it, has made headlines nationwide.

George Zimmerman’s enactment of Florida’s “Stand Your Ground Law” in the shooting of Trayvon Martin has been dissected by newsmakers across the country, which begs the question, what self-defense claims protect Missouri residents?Missouri has a broad self-defense law, which protects citizens who use reasonable force against a threat. But, in order to use deadly force, there has to be a reasonable belief that their life or their family’s lives are in danger, said Capt. Kevin Castle with the St. Joseph Police Department.“Clearly we’re never going to prohibit people from keeping themselves safe,” he said. “But it’s got to be a clear situation that their life is in danger, especially when using deadly force.”Dwight Scroggins, Buchanan County prosecuting attorney, said self-defense claims are taken under advisement on a case-by-case basis. But the main concept is that the amount of force used by a victim claiming self-defense has to be proportionate to what is being used against them.“The underlying idea of self-defense is, I can use whatever force I reasonably perceive to be necessary to protect myself,” he said. “So if a guy jumps out demanding money and has no weapons, and I pull my gun out and shoot him, it’s probably not self-defense.”The state also has a more refined and well-known Castle Doctrine, which protects residents in their homes or vehicles. Under that law, homeowners do have a legal right to kill someone who enters their home unlawfully.