Tennessee Gun Laws & Firearms Safety Practice Exam

Which of the following statements about the 'Castle Doctrine' in Tennessee is TRUE?

1. It allows use of force in self-defense only outside one’s home

2. It does not require one to retreat before using force in their home

3. It applies only during daylight hours

4. It prohibits the use of deadly force under any circumstances

The correct answer is: It does not require one to retreat before using force in their home

The 'Castle Doctrine' in Tennessee asserts that an individual does not have a duty to retreat when facing a threat within their own home. This principle is rooted in the belief that a person's home is their sanctuary, and they are allowed to defend it with reasonable force, including deadly force, if they feel threatened. The other statements do not accurately reflect the tenets of the Castle Doctrine. For example, the doctrine specifically addresses situations within the home, hence the first statement about self-defense only outside the home is incorrect. The third statement suggesting the doctrine only applies during daylight hours contradicts the law's broader protections regardless of time. Lastly, the notion that it prohibits the use of deadly force under any circumstances misrepresents the doctrine, as it actually permits such force under valid self-defense scenarios within the home.