Six words every killer should know: 'I feared for my life, officer'

Stand-your-ground laws in 30 American states extend legal protections to public places. (Image: Depositphotos)

Sun, 02 Nov 2025

By Mark Maremont and Paul OverbergIt’s easier than ever to kill someone in America and get away with it. In 30 states, it often requires only a claim you killed while protecting yourself or others. While Americans have long been free to use deadly force to defend themselves at home, so-called stand-your-ground laws in those 30 states extend legal protections to public places and make it difficult for prosecutors to file homicide charges against anyone who says they killed in self-defence.The number of legally sanctioned homicide...

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