With regard to the rights of citizens who use a firearm, you better understand some basic things, or you may find yourself in prison or in debt to legal bills of a quarter of a million dollars or more.
1. Know if your state has a Castle Doctrine law.
A Castle Doctrine (also known as a castle law or a defense of habitation law) is a legal doctrine that designates a person's abode or any legally occupied place – e.g., a vehicle or home, as a place in which that person has protections and immunities permitting one, in certain circumstances, to use force (up to and including deadly force) to defend oneself against an intruder, free from legal prosecution for the consequences of the force used.[1] The term is most commonly used in the United States, though many other countries invoke comparable principles in their laws.
A person may have a duty to retreat to avoid violence if one can reasonably do so. Castle doctrines negate the duty to retreat when an individual is assaulted in a place where that individual has a right to be, such as within one's own home. Deadly force may be justified and a defense of justifiable homicide applicable, in cases "when the actor reasonably fears imminent peril of death or serious bodily harm to him or herself or another". The castle doctrine is not a defined law that can be invoked, but a set of principles which may be incorporated in some form in the law of many jurisdictions.
Justifiable homicide inside one's home is distinct, as a matter of law, from castle doctrine's no duty to retreat therefrom. Because the mere occurrence of trespassing—and occasionally a subjective requirement of fear—is sufficient to invoke the castle doctrine, the burden of proof of fact is much less challenging than that of justifying a homicide.
2. Understand the difference between Castle Doctrine and Stand Your Ground.
https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/castle-doctrine-stand-ground/
Don’t get confused. The Castle Doctrine is not Stand Your Ground. The laws are vastly different and if they apply in your state you need to review them and understand what you can and can’t do. Just to make this perfectly clear, every state’s laws are subtly different from similar laws in other states. This is a general overview. Castle Doctrine applies in your home, if you are already inside. Stand Your Ground applies outdoors and only changes one element of the justification for the use of deadly force. They are vastly different.
3. If you use your firearm to defend yourself:
After you have neutralized the threat, call 911. Tell them YOU ARE THE VICTIM OF A CRIME. Tell them you need: medical, police, and give your address. Do NOT tell them you just killed someone. THEN HANG UP!!! Everything is being recorded and can and will be used as evidence. When police arrive, tell them where your firearm is located, and then tell them you are exercising your right to remain silent until your lawyer arrives. Make no statements to the police. If they persist, tell them you are not making a statement without your lawyer. If they ask you to move to their headquarters or station, comply with their instructions.
