Understanding American self-defense laws

Closing arguments are expected to begin today in the murder trial of Travis and Gregory McMichael and William Bryan, the three men accused of killing Ahmaud Arbery in Brunswick, Georgia. This comes just a few days after Kyle Rittenhouse was found not guilty in the fatal shooting of two people at demonstrations in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Though the cases are unfolding in two different parts of the country, they have something in common: all the defendants claim self-defense.

• Plus, election officials are already preparing for next year’s midterms.
• And, why you shouldn’t have a problem buying that Thanksgiving turkey.

Guests: Caroline Light, author of the book “Stand Your Ground: A History of America’s Love Affair with Lethal Self-Defense;” and Axios' Sarah Mucha and Erica Pandey.

Credits: Axios Today is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Julia Redpath, Alexandra Botti, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Alex Sugiura, Sabeena Singhani, Lydia McMullen-Laird, David Toledo and Ben O'Brien. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com. You can text questions, comments and story ideas to Niala as a text or voice memo to 202-918-4893.

Go deeper:

• Jacob Blake's father speaks out after Rittenhouse verdict
• The midterm voting test
• Don't worry, you'll get your turkey

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