Email from MCRGO   MICHIGAN COALITION FOR RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNERS "Promoting safe use and ownership of firearms through education, litigation, and legislation." MONDAY E'NEWS Walmart Stabbings Show Flaw in Gun Control Logic An editorial by Marcy Jankovich that originally appeared in the Detroit News on August 6 Last weekend, a man walked into a Walmart in Traverse City and stabbed 11 innocent people in a random, brutal act of violence. The scene was horrifying—but thankfully, everyone survived. The media covered the initial shock. The politicians issued generic statements. But something’s missing—something that always seems to go missing when the narrative doesn’t fit: no one is talking about “knife control.” Why is that? A knife was used to commit mass violence—just as we’ve seen before with hammers, axes, and even cars. These are real tragedies, carried out without a single bullet fired. And yet, no one is proposing sweeping legislation to regulate or ban knives or to require background checks before buying a truck. Because deep down, we all know the glaring truth: it’s not the object that commits the violence; it’s the person. But the moment a firearm is involved, the story changes. The headlines explode. Politicians scramble to propose more restrictions. And the blame shifts from the criminal to the tool they used. This double standard isn’t just frustrating; it’s dangerous. It distracts from real solutions, and it deliberately ignores the fact that, in Traverse City, a law-abiding citizen with a firearm stopped the attack before more people were stabbed. When police arrived at the scene, the alleged attacker had already been restrained, held at gunpoint by a shopper. That’s right: a proverbial “good guy” with a gun stopped a “bad guy” with a knife. It’s textbook self-defense and the outcome we hope for in moments of crisis. This is the very reason Women for Gun Rights exists. We believe the Second Amendment protects not just the right to “bear arms”—but the right to defend yourself and others when no one else can. At the end of the day, despite the best efforts of law enforcement, you are your own first responder. Your life, and the lives of others, is your responsibility. This incident also highlights another uncomfortable pattern that truly undermines the efficacy of gun control. Authorities said the suspect had a history of “assaultive incidents.” In other words, they knew he was dangerous and capable of violence. While shocking to hear, this isn’t an isolated occurrence. Over and over, we’ve seen mass casualty events carried out by individuals who were already on law enforcement’s radar. The signs were there. The threats had been made. Reports were filed. But the system didn’t act. And yet, every time a tragedy occurs, the focus shifts—not to the failures of intervention, but to restricting the rights of law-abiding citizens. Groups like Moms Demand Action and anti-gun politicians push for Red Flag laws, assault weapon bans, and magazine limits, as if taking tools away from the responsible will somehow stop the reckless and violent. But Traverse City shows the flaw in that logic. The attacker didn’t use a gun. He used a knife. Would a Red Flag law have prevented it? Would a gun ban have saved those people? Of course not. The answer isn't to criminalize gun ownership—it's to crack down on actual criminals, take real threats seriously, and enforce the laws we already have against people who have proven themselves violent and dangerous. This is an important moment in Michigan and across the United States. It’s time to stop pretending the tool is the problem and start focusing on the truth: dangerous people are the threat. And guns, in the hands of the right people, save lives. Marcy Jankovich is the Michigan State Director for Women for Gun Rights, an MCRGO Instructor, and an MCRGO Life Member. MCRGO Election Update We're now past the midpoint of MCRGO's biennial member elections for 2025. The election began just past midnight on August 1, 2025, and runs until midnight on September 1, 2025. Over 900 members of MCRGO have already voted. Five members of the board will be elected this year. Per the MCRGO Bylaws, one seat representing each region is on the ballot this year. Seats are geographically divided to ensure one region of the state does not dominate the organization. However, elected board members represent all of MCRGO's membership. MCRGO members can vote for candidates in any and all regions, not just the one in which they live. There are also three bylaw amendments on the ballot. If you believe you were a member of MCRGO as of July 1, 2025, remain a current member of the organization, have not received an electronic ballot by email, and wish to vote, please email the organization at [email protected]. UPCOMING EVENTS MCRGO Upper Peninsula Picnic Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 11 AM to 1 PM EDT West Branch Sportsmen's Club, 1888 Engman Lake Rd., Skandia 49855 NO RSVP is required. Open to MCRGO members, friends & family. We will provide grilled items and beverages at no cost. We encourage you to bring your firearms, ammunition, and ear and eye protection. NRA Freedom Fest at Howell Saturday, September 6, 2025, 10 AM to 6 PM Peacemakers Gun Range, 158 Catrell Dr, Howell, MI 48843 MCRGO will be present as an exhibitor. This is not a MCRGO hosted event. MCRGO Southwest Michigan Picnic Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 11 AM to 1 PM EDT Southern Michigan Gun Club, 22471 38th Ave., Mattawan, MI 49071 NO RSVP is required. Open to MCRGO members, friends & family. We will provide grilled items and beverages at no cost. We encourage you to bring your firearms, ammunition, and ear and eye protection. MCRGO 2025 Annual Meeting Friday, December 5, 2025, from 11 AM to 2 PM EST Coral Gables Restaurant, 2838 Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823 MCRGO will provide a pizza and salad buffet along with non-alcoholic beverages. The annual meeting is open to current MCRGO members. Please RSVP to [email protected]. MCRGO | PO Box 14014 | Lansing, MI 48901 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice