Self-defense laws in Texas have limits
Texas, Florida share similar 'Stand Your Ground' stances.
By Craig Kapitan, San Antonio Express News
Updated 12:27 a.m., Friday, March 23, 2012
In 2007, as the media and the public focused on Texas' so-called “Castle Doctrine” amendment to the penal code — making it easier for homeowners to claim self-defense when shooting an intruder — a more sweeping self-defense law change also quietly passed in the Legislature.
The Lone Star State joined the ranks of other states that no longer cited a “duty to retreat,” in the home or elsewhere, before using deadly force in self-defense.
While “Castle Doctrine” laws have been much debated, “Stand Your Ground” or “Shoot First” laws — now on the books in nearly half the United States — have jumped to the forefront of public discussion in recent weeks as protests have mounted over the fatal shooting in Florida of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin.
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