The circus returned to Lansing recently. The Gangbanger Protection Act of 2015 (Senate Bill 611) is an attack on everyone's fundamental human right to self-defense. This bill starts by repealing Michigan’s Self-Defense Act, which became law in 2006 with broad bipartisan support and was signed into law by then Governor Jennifer Granholm (D).  This bill would also repeal Castle Doctrine, which provides legal protections when defending oneself from a home invader. SB 611 would even make individuals who lawfully and reasonably defend their own lives or the lives of others, vulnerable to costly, damaging and often frivolous lawsuits.

While this bill has about zero chance of passing into law, it's important to highlight the corruption and ignorance of those that oppose your basic human right to self defense. These laws are not about guns, they are about defending life and livelihoods, and they apply regardless of the tool used.

Senator Warren, representing the entitlement capital of Michigan, introduced this bill. While Warren claims to be a champion of women's rights, a critical component of this bill would repeal the legal protections for defending yourself against a rapist. When Warren isn't busy complaining about the need for endless free stuff at other people's expense, she now finds it necessary to force women to justify their defense from rape rather than require a prosecutor to prove it was unreasonable. Not just once, but twice.  As if the emotional trauma from surviving such an attack and the resulting criminal prosecution isn’t enough, Warren must think that it’s also reasonable to allow the failed rapist, or their family, to sue for damages. Yes you read that right. Allow a rapist to sue the victim that stopped them.

Imagine for a moment if the civil protections were repealed. Picture “slip and fall” lawyers  having a field day suing homeowners every time a burglar falls down the steps while carrying your flat screen TV out the door. Even if they lose, you are still stuck with a large legal bill without the protections that these senators want to repeal.

Representing the voice of the gangbangers of Flint and Detroit are Senators Coleman Young and Jim Ananich. I understand that one of the jobs of a senator is to represent his or her district, but is it necessary for Young and Ananich to take the side of rapists, gangbangers, and other degenerates who wish to cause havoc on the people of Michigan? The vast majority of violent crime in Michigan takes place in Detroit and Flint. For some odd reason, it seems that Young and Ananich have had enough of their thug constituents being met with defensive force when they try to take an innocent life or rape vulnerable woman.

The reason for Stand Your Ground legislation is because survivors of violent attacks or of attempted murder have historically had to face a second assault by rogue prosecutors, resulting in tens of thousands of dollars of legal fees, ultimately forcing them into poverty and ruining whatever life they have left. Stand Your Ground legislation was passed to primarily protect middle class and poor people from having to prove their innocence. A recent example was in our neighboring state of Wisconsin.

Many states have recognized this severe miscarriage of justice and have passed laws to protect us from those in the legal system who would attack you all over again. Even States like California and Illinois have stand your ground legal precedent. The same for Washington DC and all U.S. Territories.

Either these 4 senators are extremely ignorant or they actually want to empower the criminal element to ruin the lives of innocent people. Thankfully, The Gangbanger Protection Act of 2015 has zero chance of becoming law; however, it's concerning that these four senators would rather see vulnerable women and struggling people die as the expense of protecting the degenerate class of citizens known as violent criminals. I guess every vote does matter, even those of rapists and robbers.