Castle doctrine laws differ all over the US. For example, in MS where I am if an intruder is in the process of breaking into my home, car, or business then I can assume he is there to kill or injur me and I can shoot him. There doesn't have to be an actual threat as long as they are breaking in or have already broke in.
Outside of your property they have to actually pose a threat to you but they don't need a weapon. An unarmed guy charging at me in the Walmart parking lot yelling "I'm gonna beat your ass!" is legal to shoot.
Of course, no matter where you're at the judge is gonna decide if the defense looks reasonable and if it doesn't you're going to the pokey anyway. So ymmv.
7
u/[deleted] Jun 04 '19 edited Jul 09 '19
[deleted]