Right of Self Defense Expands Over the past year 15 states have enacted “Castle Doctrine” laws that expand the right of self-defense, allowing victims being attacked to stand their ground in situations that previously would have forced them to retreat. The laws have also sought to thwart charges brought by attackers against their victims following the use of self-defense. Opponents of the legislation have referred to the Castle Doctrine as a “shoot first law,” the same unsubstantiated claim originally leveled by those in the gun-ban lobby against concealed carry laws. In a story today, the New York Times examines recent cases involving the law.