Connecticut does not currently have a “stand your ground” law. Under Connecticut law, there is an explicit duty to retreat before resorting to deadly force outside the home if it can be done with complete safety. This means a person must try to avoid using deadly force by retreating or surrendering possession to someone claiming a right to it if it can be done safely. The only exception to this duty to retreat is when a person is in their dwelling or workplace and was not the initial aggressor; in such cases, they are not required to retreat and may stand their ground.
This legal framework contrasts with states that have stand your ground laws, where no duty to retreat exists in any place a person is lawfully present. In Connecticut, deadly force can only be used when reasonably necessary to prevent imminent great bodily harm or death, and the force used must be reasonable and not excessive.
As of 2025, there have been legislative efforts proposing a stand-your-ground law in Connecticut, but such a law has not yet been enacted.
Connecticut maintains a traditional duty to retreat rule outside the home, meaning you generally must avoid using deadly force if you can do so safely by retreating. Only inside your home or workplace can you stand your ground without a duty to retreat, provided you are not the initial aggressor.
Sources
[1] https://www.justia.com/criminal/defenses/stand-your-ground-laws-50-state-survey/
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stand-your-ground_law
[3] https://www.dpweinerlaw.com/stamford-criminal-law-blog/how-is-reasonable-force-defined-when-claiming-self-defense
[4] https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/CGABillStatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=SB518
[5] https://giffords.org/lawcenter/state-laws/stand-your-ground-in-connecticut/
