Thank you to Derrick Perry And Matthew K. Semper Fi.

Yesterday in Traverse City, the unthinkable happened.

A man entered the Walmart on South Airport Rd a little before 5 and began attacking innocent people with a knife. Eleven were injured, six of them in critical condition, five in serious condition. According to a source close to Munson Medical Center, at least one victim may have passed away in the early hours of the morning. (As-yet unofficial)  Our prayers are with all the victims and their families during this horrific time.

But amid the chaos and horror, courage emerged.

As the attacker fled the store, he was met in the parking lot by several brave citizens. Among them: Matthew K. of Kent City, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran on vacation with his family. Upon seeing the carnage and hearing the screams, he went into action, directing his young daughter to safety, grabbing a shopping cart, and using it to take down the attacker. He was not alone.

‘Good Guy with a gun’ Derrick Perry

Another Marine veteran, Derrick Perry, also reportedly on scene, stood his ground with a legally carried firearm, ordering the assailant to drop the weapon. When he did, citizens subdued and restrained him until police arrived moments later. The entire ordeal was over in minutes, but the trauma and impact will last far longer.

Semper Fi, Marines. Thank you.

We often hear the refrain “a good guy with a gun is a myth” from those who would disarm us.  That it’s dangerous to allow law-abiding citizens to carry. That trained civilians cannot be trusted to intervene without escalating the danger. And yet, time and again, in Walmart parking lots, in church sanctuaries, on quiet suburban streets ..it is exactly these individuals who stand in the gap when seconds matter.

Just two months ago in Detroit, a church security guard with a concealed firearm stopped an armed gunman before tragedy unfolded in the pews.

And now here in Traverse City, we witnessed once again that courage, training, and lawful firearm ownership can and will save lives.

We must continue to wrestle with the reality of mental illness, moral collapse, and disregard for life that breed these senseless acts. But while we do, let us never forget the role played by men and women who run toward danger, not away. Those who exercise their constitutional rights not out of fear, but out of responsibility. Out of love for their fellow man.

This isn’t a political talking point. It’s reality. And yesterday, it made all the difference.

You Betcha! (9)Nuh Uh.(0)