The recent killing of right-wing political commentator Charlie Kirk has sparked discourse about political violence, gun control and the dangers of white nationalist ideology. This incident, while shocking, is just one data point in a much larger and more devastating national crisis; according to Pew research, there were over 46,000 gun-related deaths in 2023 alone.
As of Sept. 10, there have already been 47 school shootings in the United States this year, and 24 of those shootings were on college campuses.
One word came to mind for the staff of The Express: shock. Kirk’s demise seemed so sudden when the news broke out of Utah.
Some made celebratory remarks while others mourned him. Shortly after Kirk’s assassanation, a shooting at a Colorado high school occurred. Two students were shot by the suspect before he fatally shot himself. Media coverage of the Evergreen high school shooting was minimal compared to Kirk’s fatal shot to the neck.
The popular and polarizing conservative influencer, was a major advocate for expanding gun rights. In 2023, Kirk said, “It’s worth it to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment.” And ironically he died doing what he loved: arguing with college students, spewing racist and transphobic dog whistles.
Hunter Kozak, a 29-year-old student, was in line to debate Charlie Kirk and stood up to the microphone, moments before he was shot.
The question: “Do you know how many transgender Americans have been mass shooters over the last ten years?”
To which Charlie Kirk responds, “Too many.”
Kozak then says, “Okay, sure. Five is too many. Do you know how many mass shooters there have been in America over the last ten years?”
Kirk says, “Counting or not counting gang violence?”
The last words he uttered were “gang violence.”
The nature of his death was undoubtedly gruesome. One bullet to the neck. In front of thousands of students. Kirk was later pronounced dead at the Timpanogos Regional Hospital in Orem, Utah.
Clips of him have been circulating across the internet. With some of his most controversial points he’s made.
Kirk was shot and killed Wednesday while speaking at Utah Valley University. The police have not yet found his killer.
The Express editorial board shares their thoughts on gun violence and Kirk’s death.
Angelina An, editor in chief:
“I think I was upset with the timing that it happened, as his family was present.”
“When I think of his death, I think of him as a human being. I don’t think assassinating him in public was right. I think it’s crazy to do it in front of his kids and in a school setting. Nobody should have to suffer through dying like that.”
Kirk’s thoughts on the concept of empathy: “I can’t stand the word empathy. I think empathy is a made up new age term that does a lot of damage.”
Camille LeDuc, managing editor
“He’s had a very privileged life, so I don’t agree with how he just assumes that everybody is just as privileged as he is.”
“I don’t think he’s hateful. I think he just has a very narrow perspective on minorities.”
“We definitely need more gun control.”
In Kirk’s own words: “When Blacks in America did not have the same rights they have today, they were less murderous, there were less break-ins.”
Kian Amininejad, news editor
“I am in disbelief that it happened.”
“I don’t like that he’s okay with genocide. I don’t like the things that he said… but his death was completely unnecessary.”
One of Kirk’s many remarks: “Abortion is worse than the Holocaust.”
Sabrina Hossain, opinions editor/copy editor
“The nature of his death was horrific. Still, as someone with multiple marginalized identities — Muslim, woman, queer, South Asian and neurodivergent — I find it difficult to sympathise with someone who built a career inciting violence against my community and those of my loved ones. My empathy lies instead with the oppressed groups he was paid to demonize.”
Kirk’s intolerance towards the LGBTQ+ community is evident when he says: “I believe marriage is between one man and one woman.”
Musa Ashraf, arts & entertainment editor
“I only heard of him after the assassination.”
“The assassination highlights how gun control needs to be at the forefront of most American minds and the minds of lawmakers.”
On X, the slain 31-year-old once said, “Gun control, like vaccines and masks, is focused on making people feel ‘safe’ by taking freedoms away from others. Don’t fall for it.”
Annie Moore, sports editor
“I had the video (of the killing) described to me, and that sent shivers down my spine.”
“Charlie has very conservative views, and my views are far from that. He said himself that if his 9-year-old daughter got raped and then pregnant, he would make her have the baby. And I just don’t agree with that.”
The topic in question was about child pregnancy after rape. When asked how he would advise his daughter in this scenario, he said, “The answer is yes. The baby would be delivered.”
Sam Barnes, photo editor
“My immediate reaction was disbelief.”
“In terms of where my politics lie, I did vote for Kamala Harris in the recent election. And if I had to give a personal statement on Charlie Kirk’s death, I would say it is unfortunate. I do feel bad for his family. But I will also say I am quite confident that I don’t agree with most, if not everything that he has said. He is racist and spreads racism, I am perplexed that he has been given a platform for THIS long. It is disappointing.”
Kirk does in fact have a reputation for spreading racism, seen in this quote from 2023: “Happening all the time in urban America, prowling Blacks go around for fun to target white people, that’s a fact. It’s happening more and more.”
