Missouri is just one of several states that have adopted some variation of the Castle Doctrine.
In simple terms the doctrine says you don't have to retreat if someone has unlawfully entered your home, car, or if you're a guest somewhere.
It says you can use justified force against the invader and you'll be immune from criminal prosecution.
Sunday, I sat down with a Jefferson City man who believes in the doctrine because he actually had to use it.
Three years ago Justin Schnieders and some friends were hanging out in a law firm driveway on East Capitol.
That's when a man walked up, showed a gun and told the group they were going to be robbed, "We started walking single file into the office, I was the last one into the office, he actually had the gun in my back as I was walking up the steps”, Schnieders said.
After they were all inside, the robber told them to get face down on the floor and hand over their wallets.
"Most of the people were up here and here and I went to pick the furthest point away from him to try and put some distance between him and myself to try and give myself an opportunity to draw my conceal carry weapon" Schnieders told us.
But his plan didn't pan out, "Instead of starting with the guys he was next to up front, he immediately came around the table to where I was laying on the floor here. So we we’re stacked in here, head to feet, there was a little bit of clear space here on my right side. Since I didn't have my wallet or watch out for him he reached down with his left hand and pulled up my coat and my shirt and saw my empty holster on my right hip and started demanding my firearm". Schnieders said.
Schnieders ended up getting shot in both hands.
Despite a shattered wrist he was able to get off a couple of shots wounding the gunman.
That's where the Castle Doctrine comes in.
Because of the doctrine, Schnieder's is protected from a civil lawsuit the robbers family could have otherwise brought against him for medical bills, and even pain and suffering.
Shooting instructor, Steve Moore said Schneider's story is the exact reason the doctrine was put in place, “There is no reason to be scared of it, if you're not doing something illegal, or something wrong you're not even going to be effected by it”.
And if you are affected by it someday, Cole County Sheriff Greg White said it's important to keep a level head before you make the ultimate decision to pull the trigger, "Somewhere along the line you have to be able to, in your own heart, believe you're in danger".
White says the bottom line is if someone has entered your home unlawfully and you believe they intend to do you harm, you can use force and you'll be protected by the law.
The man who robbed Schnieders is now serving 75 years in prison.
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