Law Professor Eugene Volokh posits in an online article that many states' self-defense laws are, in some ways, less defendant-friendly than those of other countries, including those of England* and Germany. I recommend reading it because gun grabbers often point to the "more civilized" laws in other countries.
Prof. Volokh first delivers a short primer on general principles of self-defense laws in the U.S. As he points out (and probably everyone here knows), these laws vary from state to state. For example, states most often require any belief in the need to use force to be made reasonably and in good faith. England, on the other hand, requires only the "honest" belief in the need to use force---even if the belief is not reasonable, a defendant may still assert it. The article also discusses the duty to retreat.
The article is a good reference to point out to the curious and intellectually honest. Hardliners can normally only be convinced if they have been victimized.
*Professor Volokh uses the term "England," but he might mean the entire United Kingdom---England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Prof. Volokh first delivers a short primer on general principles of self-defense laws in the U.S. As he points out (and probably everyone here knows), these laws vary from state to state. For example, states most often require any belief in the need to use force to be made reasonably and in good faith. England, on the other hand, requires only the "honest" belief in the need to use force---even if the belief is not reasonable, a defendant may still assert it. The article also discusses the duty to retreat.
The article is a good reference to point out to the curious and intellectually honest. Hardliners can normally only be convinced if they have been victimized.
*Professor Volokh uses the term "England," but he might mean the entire United Kingdom---England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
