I asked grok about it... but just take note sometimes grok can get it wrong, but if it is based on something someone said... less likely.
Charlie Kirk, a prominent conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, made the statement in question during a Turning Point USA Faith event on April 5, 2023. It came in the aftermath of a mass shooting at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 27, 2023, which killed six people (three children and three adults). Kirk was addressing gun violence and Second Amendment rights, arguing against stricter gun control measures by framing some level of gun deaths as an inevitable tradeoff for preserving armed self-defense and other constitutional protections. He compared it to annual automobile fatalities (around 50,000 at the time), noting that society accepts those risks for the benefits of cars without banning them outright. He also advocated for alternatives like armed guards in schools and stronger family structures to reduce violence, while criticizing gun control advocates for living in a "utopian" mindset. The full quote, as captured in video from the event: "You will never live in a society when you have an armed citizenry and you won't have a single gun death. That is nonsense. It's drivel. But I am—I think it's worth it. I think it's worth to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights. That is a prudent deal. It is rational. Nobody talks like this. They live in a complete alternate universe."
At the time, the remarks drew sharp criticism from gun safety groups and politicians. For instance, Shannon Watts of Moms Demand Action called it an "obscene tragedy," emphasizing that gun laws can save lives without infringing on rights. Kris Brown of Brady questioned whether Kirk would say the same to victims' families. California Rep. Mike Thompson labeled it "asinine," arguing no one should decide which lives are expendable. A Gallup poll around then showed 63% of Americans dissatisfied with U.S. gun laws, with many favoring more restrictions.
The comments went viral, with over 9 million views on X (formerly Twitter), sparking protests like student walkouts demanding gun reform.
The quote resurfaced widely in September 2025 following Kirk's own death by gunfire. On September 10, 2025, Kirk (age 31) was fatally shot in the neck/head during a public speaking event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, as part of his "American Comeback Tour." He was about 20 minutes into his talk when a single shot was fired from the rooftop of the nearby Losee Center building (roughly 400 feet away). Witnesses described chaos as Kirk slumped, with blood visible, and he was rushed to Timpanogos Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. No one else was injured.
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The suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson from Washington County, Utah, was arrested on September 12, 2025, after a manhunt involving the FBI, which released images and offered a $100,000 reward. Robinson faces charges including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and felony discharge of a firearm; he is held without bail. Authorities recovered a sniper rifle and noted Robinson's limp in surveillance footage as he fled. Motive details remain under investigation, but initial reports suggest he acted alone, with no immediate ties to organized groups. Some media and X posts speculated on political motivations, given Kirk's divisive profile, but officials urged against assumptions.
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In response, Kirk's widow, Erika Kirk, gave a tearful address vowing to expand Turning Point USA in his honor: "Charlie, I promise I will never let your legacy die, baby. I promise I’ll make Turning Point USA the biggest thing that this nation has ever seen."
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President Donald Trump announced plans to award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously, attend his Arizona funeral, and called for the death penalty for Robinson.
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Vigils were held in Salt Lake City and elsewhere, with increased campus security at UVU and other schools.
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The incident amplified debates on political violence, with figures like Piers Morgan condemning celebrations of Kirk's death on social media, while others highlighted irony given his pro-gun stance.
X posts ranged from grief and calls to expose those mocking the death to accusations of hypocrisy or "karma," reflecting deep polarization.
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Some tied it to broader extremism, including right-wing infighting or normalization of violence post-January 6.
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Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett commented on the need for civil discourse amid rising tensions.