Stand Your Ground Act of 2023

To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide an affirmative defense for certain criminal violations, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Stand Your Ground Act of 2023 2. Certain affirmative defenses (a) Affirmative defense (1) In general Chapter 1 28. Affirmative defense for certain criminal violations (a) Definition In this section, the term forcible felony (b) Use or threatened use of non-Deadly force in defense of person (1) In general It shall be an affirmative defense to a prosecution under this title that the defendant used, threatened to use, or attempted to use force, except deadly force, against an aggressor if, and to the extent that, the defendant reasonably believed that the use, threat to use, or attempt to use such force was necessary to defend the defendant or another individual against the imminent use of unlawful force by the aggressor. (2) No duty to retreat For purposes of paragraph (1), an individual who is at risk of becoming a victim of a forcible felony shall not be required to first seek retreat as the preferred alternative to using force to act in self-defense. (c) Use or threatened use of deadly force in defense of person (1) In general It shall be an affirmative defense to a prosecution under this title that the defendant used, threatened to use, or attempted to use deadly force against an aggressor if the defendant reasonably believed that the use, threat to use, or attempt to use such force was necessary to— (A) prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to the defendant or another individual; or (B) prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony. (2) No duty to retreat; right to stand your ground For purposes of paragraph (1), an individual who is at risk of becoming a victim of a forcible felony— (A) shall not be required to first seek retreat as the preferred alternative to using force to act in self-defense; and (B) may use any means necessary to defend himself or herself if the individual— (i) is not engaged in criminal activity; and (ii) is in a place where the individual has a right to be. (d) Burden of proof The defendant has the burden of proving a defense under this section by a preponderance of the evidence. . (2) Table of sections The table of sections for chapter 1 28. Affirmative defense for certain criminal violations. . (b) Effective date; applicability The amendments made by subsection (a) shall— (1) take effect on the date of enactment of this Act; and (2) apply to any prosecution commenced after the date of enactment of this Act.

Summary: Stand Your Ground Act of 2023 This bill establishes affirmative defenses for individuals who use (or threaten or attempt to use) force in the commission of certain federal criminal violations. First, an individual is justified in using (or threatening or attempting to use) non-deadly force if the individual reasonably believes it is necessary to defend against an imminent use of unlawful force. An individual who is at risk of becoming a victim of a forcible felony does not have a duty to retreat before using force to act in self-defense. Second, an individual is justified in using (or threatening or attempting to use) deadly force if the individual reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony. An individual who is at risk of becoming a victim of a forcible felony does not have a duty to retreat before using force to act in self-defense and may use any means necessary to defend himself or herself so long as the individual is not engaged in a criminal activity and is in a place where he or she has a right to be.