Once again, another act of gun violence. Charlie Kirk, a right-wing youth activist, was shot and killed at Utah Valley University Sept. 10. This act of violence occurred during a rally while Kirk was speaking to a large crowd of roughly 3,000 people, many of whom were students. Kirk is best known for his far-right views, one of them being that he is pro-Second Amendment, even once stating that the victims of gun violence were “worth it” in order to keep our Second Amendment right.
President Donald Trump, in response, ordered all flags around the United States to be flown at half-mast until Sunday evening. Trump also urged readers to pray for Charlie Kirk via X, formerly Twitter. Such responses show much more remorse and horror compared to the almost bored responses when school shootings occur.
A shooting at the Annunciation Church and School took the lives of two children Aug. 27 and left more than 18 injured. The aftermath of this tragedy was not met with the response one would hope for. Many posts have argued about the use of “thoughts and prayers,” and many X users claimed this to be a “trans violence epidemic.” Very few posts were a call to action, and quite honestly, did not talk about the tragedy of children dying at all. Instead of using this tragedy as a way to push out a political agenda fueled by hatred, we should be focusing on the fact that children are being killed in their schools. Whether it be restricting access to firearms or simply acknowledging that this is a public safety and health concern, something needs to happen.
The politicians in this country have shown time and time again that they do not care, and quite frankly, never have. This is no exception, but it makes me wonder what the response will be now that Kirk, a right-wing, pro-Trump activist, has been the victim. When searching the name “Charlie Kirk” on X, the results are divergent. Many users are mocking his death and even using his own words against him. But, politicians like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on X are writing long emotional statements as to how he was a “courageous crusader.” But in response to a shooting in Perry, Iowa, where one student was killed and five others were injured, Trump stated that we must “get over it” and “move forward.”
Gun violence is never OK. Anyone saying that Kirk’s death was deserved is as much a part of promoting violence as he was. As easy as it is to point out the irony, it is still important to note that this was an act of gun violence that took a life and likely traumatized many others. But it makes me wonder if this incident is what will cause politicians to finally pick up the conversation of gun regulation, because now the victim is someone who advocated for these same politicians and what they stand for, as opposed to children with no political affiliation.
On the same note, due to Kirk’s views on gun regulation, this could go dramatically the other way. Many republicans seem to be viewing him as a martyr and could potentially use his previous statements about anti-gun control to keep his memory alive, causing more pushback on gun regulation and safety. Kirk’s wife even stated on her Instagram that no one will ever forget her husband, and that his mission will be bigger than ever.
Regardless, this conversation should have started years ago. As a student, and just as a person, I hope that this incident causes politicians to stop turning their backs on gun violence and finally make moves towards making this country safer. Why the innocent children and educators have not been enough, I will never know. A person as controversial as Kirk being the victim of gun violence is never what I imagined sparking attention to gun violence, especially when there are at least 1.5 million other victims from 2020-2024 that came before him, but nonetheless the attention is there, and the pressure is on.
