Michigan Incident Highlights
the Role of Armed Civilians

A knife-wielding man injured 11 people during a violent rampage inside a Walmart in Traverse City, Mich., on July 26—before being stopped by a legally armed bystander in the parking lot.

As chaos erupted, Derrick Perry, a retired U.S. Marine who was shopping with his wife, drew his concealed handgun and confronted the attacker in the parking lot. Without firing a shot, Perry ordered the suspect to drop the knife and held him at gunpoint until police arrived—a swift action authorities say likely prevented more bloodshed.

The attacker now faces terrorism and multiple assault charges. Victims ranged in age from 29 to 84—all are expected to survive. Law enforcement praised Perry and other civilians for their swift response, which unfolded within moments—well before the first officers arrived at the scene.

In a state where concealed carry is not overly restricted, this incident underscores the real-world impact of armed citizens already present when seconds count. …