As protests increasingly escalate into violent riots, defending oneself in the chaos becomes a risky proposition, especially when considering its legality.
With that in mind, a Michigan lawmaker has introduced a measure that would protect Michigan residents from civil lawsuits when acting in self-defense to escape a violent riot. State law already protects those practicing self-defense from criminal liability, but State Sen. Jim Runestad’s measure would go even further.
According to a news release from Michigan Senate Republicans, Senate Bill 500 would expand existing self-defense legal protections to include immunity from civil lawsuits, such as claims for property damage or personal injury.
The measure states: “In a civil action, an individual is not liable for property damages or personal injury, including, but not limited to, death, if the individual was acting in self-defense and if the individual’s actions arose from another individual’s conduct in furtherance of a riot.”
“Regular people should not be punished for trying to protect themselves when out-of-control, violent agitators take over cities and start burning everything to the ground,” Sen. Runestad said. “Sadly, we are seeing this kind of violent unrest more and more. Just look back at the riots in Los Angeles earlier this year, when vicious far-left agitators took over entire sections of public highways, disrupting traffic and threatening commuters. If President Trump had not called in the National Guard to quell the unrest, who knows what kind of carnage could have been unleashed?”
Sen. Runestad stated that this new anti-riot law is essential due to ongoing lawlessness on the streets of cities in Michigan and nationwide.
“If violent agitators are going to continue to threaten the safety and sanctity of public life, ordinary citizens must have the right and ability to protect themselves without worrying about their lives being upended even further by frivolous lawsuits that could be brought about by mobs of criminals,” he said.
Sen. Runestad added that while current Michigan law protects individuals from criminal proceedings when acting in self-defense, no such protection exists against civil lawsuits. That means someone acting in self-defense could be acquitted of criminal charges but still face bankruptcy due to extensive civil litigation charges years later.
“It is time rioters are made aware that their destructive actions have real consequences,” he concluded. “By ensuring regular, peaceful people are guaranteed their rights by law to defend themselves when terrorized, violent extremists will think twice before endangering innocent individuals.”
The measure has been referred to the Senate Committee on Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety.
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