Self Defense
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 563.031 — reasonable belief, deadly force only against grave harm, and no duty to retreat
A person in Missouri may use physical force to the extent the person reasonably believes it necessary to defend themselves or a third person from what they reasonably believe is the use or imminent use of unlawful force, unless the person was the initial aggressor and did not withdraw, or was committing or escaping a forcible felony.
- To protect against death, serious physical injury, or any forcible felony.
- Against someone unlawfully entering, or remaining in, a dwelling, residence or vehicle the person lawfully occupies.
- Against someone unlawfully entering private property the person owns or leases, or is authorized to occupy.
Deadly force is justified only in those three situations.
No duty to retreat. There is no duty to retreat from a dwelling, residence or vehicle the person is lawfully in, from the person's own private property, or from any other place the person has a right to be.
Sources for this section (1)
- Mo. Rev. Stat. § 563.031 — Use of force in defense of persons
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Missouri attorney.