Livingston Today

State Sen. Jim Runestad has introduced new legislation aimed at protecting Michigan residents from civil lawsuits if they act in self-defense during violent riots.

“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,” said Runestad, R-White Lake. “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.”

Senate Bill 500 proposes to extend current criminal self-defense protections by also providing immunity from civil lawsuits related to property damage or personal injury that may occur during such incidents.

“This new anti-riot act is necessary in the face of continued lawlessness on the streets of cities in Michigan and across the country,” Runestad said. “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.”

Currently, Michigan law protects individuals from criminal prosecution if they act in self-defense but does not shield them from potential civil litigation. This means a person found not guilty on criminal charges might still face financial ruin through subsequent civil suits.

“It is time rioters are made aware that their destructive actions have real consequences. 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,” Runestad said.