Start with some of these from MT
I like this language...clear, direct and to the point..and it passed and was signed into law by the MT Gov. (2009)
AN ACT PRESERVING AND CLARIFYING LAWS RELATING TO THE RIGHT OF SELF-DEFENSE AND THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS; AMENDING SECTIONS 45-3-103, 45-8-321, AND 46-6-502, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Legislature declares that:
(1) the right of Montanans to defend their lives and liberties, as provided in Article II, section 3, of the Montana Constitution, and their right to keep or bear arms in defense of their homes, persons, and property, as provided in Article II, section 12, of the Montana Constitution, are fundamental and may not be called into question;
(2) the use of firearms for self-defense is recognized within the right reserved to the individual people of Montana in Article II, section 12, of the Montana Constitution;
(3) self-defense is a natural right under section 1-2-104, MCA, and is included in sections 49-1-101 and 49-1-103, MCA;
(4) the lawful use of firearms for self-defense is not a crime or an offense against the people of the state;
(5) in a criminal case in which self-defense is asserted, the burden of proof is as provided in [section 10];
(6) in self-defense, the use of justifiable force discourages violent crime and prevents victimization; and
(7) the purpose of [sections 1 through 3] is to clarify and secure the ability of the people to protect themselves.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Section 1.No duty to summon help or flee. Except as provided in 45-3-105, a person who is lawfully in a place or location and who is threatened with bodily injury or loss of life has no duty to retreat from a threat or summon law enforcement assistance prior to using force. The provisions of this section apply to a person offering evidence of justifiable use of force under 45-3-102, 45-3-103, or 45-3-104.
Section 2.Openly carrying weapon -- display -- exemption. (1) Any person who is not otherwise prohibited from doing so by federal or state law may openly carry a weapon and may communicate to another person the fact that the person has a weapon.
(2) If a person reasonably believes that the person or another person is threatened with bodily harm, the person may warn or threaten the use of force, including deadly force, against the aggressor, including drawing or presenting a weapon.
(3) This section does not limit the authority of the board of regents or other postsecondary institutions to regulate the carrying of weapons, as defined in 45-8-361(5)(b), on their campuses.
Section 3.Investigation of alleged offense involving claim of justifiable use of force. When an investigation is conducted by a peace officer of an incident that appears to have or is alleged to have involved justifiable use of force, the investigation must be conducted so as to disclose all evidence, including testimony concerning the alleged offense and that might support the apparent or alleged justifiable use of force.
Prepared by Montana Legislative Services
(406) 444-3064
I would note the choice of "bodily harm" language in the section above....not "great" bodily harm, or any of the additional adjectives used currently in WA, that make you have to try and figure out the difference in a parking lot where a guy is 7 yards away and charging you with fists up and clenched, in a rage, can't talk, eyes bugging out, red faced, outweighs you by 25 lbs and younger than you by 25 years, is more of a threat of great bodily harm or just a good beat down, than some guy, ranting in a bus stop with a knife, 7 yards away is a lethal threat....
scenario one is assualt (only if he hits or grabs you) but not charged, scenario two gets you shot by Tacoma PD
