Author and outspoken gun control advocate Stephen King called for tighter gun laws Wednesday, immediately following the shooting of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk—despite little information being available about the incident at the time.
Kirk was shot during a speaking event at Utah Valley University. Details surrounding the attack remain under investigation, including the identity and motive of the shooter. Still, King quickly posted on X (formerly Twitter), turning the focus toward firearms rather than awaiting confirmation of the facts.
King’s reaction follows a pattern. Less than two weeks earlier, after the August 27 Catholic school shooting in Minneapolis, King also deflected from growing concerns about the transgender identity of the shooter. Instead, he redirected the conversation to gun access, writing: “Trans is not the problem. He had a gun. That’s the problem.”
Critics argue that King is exploiting tragic events to push a political agenda without waiting for evidence. His comments came while Kirk remained hospitalized and the public had little information about the attacker, the weapon used, or whether existing laws had failed.
Second Amendment advocates note that King’s quick jump to gun control ignores the broader issues often at play in violent crimes—ranging from mental health to social breakdown and weak law enforcement policies. They also stress that pushing political narratives before facts are known undermines public trust.
Charlie Kirk is known for his conservative activism and outspoken defense of constitutional rights, including the Second Amendment. The shooting has prompted concerns about political violence and the safety of public figures, particularly as the 2026 election cycle intensifies.
For now, the investigation into the shooting continues—but for King, the blame appears settled.
