Stand your ground laws...

[Ducimus]

Originally Posted by CaptainHaplo

So I refer back to the original premise...

Person pulls a knife (even a small pocketknife) on you while your out and about. Regardless of why they do, I think its safe to say we all agree that pulling a knife on someone is not the proper course of action unless you are threatened and have nothing better. So let's say it is unprovoked (via physical aggression) - should you have the "duty to retreat"?

If not, why not?
If so, why?

I am looking for folks to put their viewpoints out there with an explanation - like platapus did. It provided a foundation for the discussion.

Following the hypothetical you've given, if someone pulls a knife on me in an unprovoked attack, do I feel a have a duty to retreat?

No, i don't. They attacked me. I have a right to defend myself.


Now, since I know this whole conversation is going to lead into guns (again), ill expand on this further.

As i stated I have a right to defend myself, so i feel no duty to retreat. In fact i think it's assine to suggest otherwise. It leads into the whole, "criminals rights take greater priority then your own" discussion. However, I also feel that using a gun is the absolute last resort in personal defense. I will try anything and everything else, before using it. If the opportunity presents itself to run and get away from the situation, then I will. If i can't get away, then I'll be forced to use the last resort.

In summary, I have a right to defend myself. All i want is the threat to stop. The situation dictates my response, but the most lethal response, will always be the last resort, when there is no other option.

EDIT:
As an aside, if someone comes at you with a knife, running away may not be an option at all. It's been proven that an assailant can cover the distance of about 21 feet in just a few seconds. Trying to run may only result in a knife in your back.