Featured Image Credit: The New York Times
Topics: Charlie Kirk, Gun Crime, News, Politics, US News, Erika Kirk
Lucy Devine
Topics: Charlie Kirk, Gun Crime, News, Politics, US News, Erika Kirk
Erika Kirk has explained why she doesn't believe that the US has a gun problem, despite her husband Charlie Kirk's assassination.
In September, Kirk was assassinated at an event organized by his company, Turning Point USA at Utah Valley University.
Erika has since gone on to become Turning Point USA's CEO, after pledging to continue Kirk's vision.
At a recent conference, mum-of-two Erika reportedly explained that she still supports the US Second Amendment, despite the way in which her husband was killed.
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The Second Amendment states: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
Erika made the comments at The New York Times' Dealbook Conference on Wednesday, explaining that she believes political divisions were behind her husband's death, rather than an issue with guns.
“What I’ve realized through all of this is that you can have individuals that will always resort to violence,” she said.
“And what I’m afraid of is that we are living in a day and age where they think violence is the solution to them not wanting to hear a different point of view.
“That’s not a gun problem, that’s a human - deeply human - problem. That is a soul problem.”
According to The Independent, Erika reiterated her support for the Second Amendment during the speech.
Following Kirk's death, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson was arrested following a nationwide manhunt.
The suspected gunman has been charged with seven offences, including aggravated murder and obstruction of justice.
Utah District Attorney Jeff Gray explained at the time: "When asked why he did it, Robinson explained, 'There's too much evil and the guy [Kirk] spreads too much hate.'"
Robinson was ultimately persuaded to turn himself in after speaking with a family friend, who is a retired law enforcement officer.
Days after Kirk's assassination, Erika explained that she had forgiven her husband's killer and wanted to 'help save young men, just like the one who took his life'.
"That young man, that young man," she said.
"On the cross, our savior said: ‘Father, forgive them for they not know what they do'.
"That man, that young man, I forgive him. I forgive him because it was what Christ did, and it is what Charlie would do.
"The answer to hate is not hate. The answer we know from the gospel is love and always love, love for our enemies and love for those who persecute us.”