Charlie Kirk once faced question about gun violence in Idaho
Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative activist who was shot and killed Wednesday at Utah Valley University, once faced a charged question about guns in Idaho.
In 2021, Kirk hosted a rally in Nampa when an audience member asked, “When do we get to use the guns?”
“We are close to having momentum to be able to get this country back on a trajectory using the peaceful means that we have,” Kirk responded, according to Newsweek. “We have to be the ones that do not play into the violent aims and ambitions of the other side.”
Kirk’s been no stranger to the state since.
In April, Kirk made an appearance at Boise State University, according to the Idaho Young Republicans. His appearances at Boise State in April and in Utah on Wednesday were part of his “The American Comeback Tour,” where audience members can debate him live.
Someone at Boise State asked him if star football player Ashton Jeanty was robbed of the Heisman Trophy, the Republicans posted. He answered with a “resounding YES!” the post said.
“Go Broncos!” Kirk said, as he sat down to take audience questions, many of which were more politically charged and controversial than the sports discussion.
In 2018, he lent his support to Tommy Ahlquist, the Boise-area physician and developer who was running for governor in a three-candidate GOP primary. Ahlquist came in third, behind Raúl Labrador and the winner, Brad Little.
Several Idaho leaders have expressed concern and sadness over the shooting.
Little wrote on X that he was “praying” for Kirk and his family. “Idahoans vehemently condemn this violence,” Little said.
Boise City Council Member Jordan Morales said on X that he had been a Utah Valley University Student for one semester and was praying “for all who faced incredible risk and ongoing injury and trauma.”
“We should never resort to violence and must continue to try in earnest to disagree better even in how we communicate and treat each other,” Morales wrote.
Lauren Necochea, the chair of the Idaho Democratic Party, said political violence was always unacceptable.
U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo said his killing was a “vile and reprehensible act of political violence,” and U.S. Sen. Jim Risch wrote, “Horrific acts of political violence must come to an end.”
This story was originally published September 10, 2025 at 4:29 PM.
