This past summer, the State of Maryland elected to follow in the footsteps of New York by loosening concealed carry restrictions following a Supreme Court ruling that broadened Second Amendments rights. No longer does one need to provide a substantial reason to apply for and receive their permit. As a result, we’ve observed exponential growth in Maryland concealed carry applications this year. One thing that has not changed, however, is our state’s “Duty to Retreat” standard. Let’s learn more about it!
What is “Duty to Retreat”?
When studying our state’s duty to retreat standard, we’re mostly left to interpret past court rulings rather than rely on standardized legislature or criminal codes. Ultimately, most states abide by Standing Your Ground or the Castle Doctrine, making Maryland a minority with our unique standard.
Here are the differences between the most common self-defense standards throughout the United States:
- Stand Your Ground. Victims of life-threatening situations are provided immunity if they end up harming the assailant in self-defense.
- Castle Doctrine. There is no obligation to retreat if one faces a life-threatening situation in their own home.
- Duty to Retreat. A person facing a life-threatening situation is expected to make an effort to retreat before resorting to the use of force as an absolute last attempt to preserve their life.
Duty to Retreat in 2022
With the large influx of authorized daily carriers in the state of Maryland, it’s more important than ever to have a firm grasp on the duty to retreat standard. Ultimately, it’s critical to only use force if you’ve reached the point where the danger of death or serious injury is genuinely imminent with no reasonable means of escape. Of course, making that critical delineation between a situation that requires force to preserve your life and an avoidable situation isn’t always easy – especially during an ongoing situation as tension is continually rising.
For the most in-depth look at the steps you can take to start your carrying journey with a mindset that both preserves your safety and keeps you within your rights, we highly advise enrolling in one of our upcoming Maryland CCW courses. We leave no stone unturned to ensure our trainees are fully educated and prepared to take on the responsibility of carrying this lifesaving tool.
Get Educated and Stay Protected with Soteria Training Academy
Soteria Training Academy provides expert firearm and first aid training with an emphasis on safety. Whether you’re a beginner in the world of firearms, or already have a wealth of experience, we look forward to helping you grow your skills and knowledge over time. Contact us today by visiting our website, or call us at (410) 216-3176 to learn more.