Democrats on Capitol Hill Condemn Charlie Kirk's Assassination While Pivoting Toward Gun Control Laws

'This Is Horrific'

Reacting to Charlie Kirk's assassination outside the Capitol, one lawmaker called the shooting horrific and awful, warning that it risked triggering a wave of political chaos. Turning the question back on reporters, the lawmaker asked whether the response would be to actually do something or simply argue over rhetoric, adding, 'We have to pass gun safety legislation and stop this.' The lawmaker also stressed that political disagreement in America shouldn't have to end the way that day did, and that people should be able to voice their views freely regardless of their politics.

Dodging Questions About Blame

Asked directly about Republican lawmakers who had just come down the Capitol steps and blamed Democrats for the shooting, one lawmaker pushed back on the framing itself, saying that on a day when a young man had lost his life and his family was grieving, focusing on the politics of blame was simply inappropriate.

'Resist the Temptation to Point Fingers'

Another lawmaker urged a broader response, saying everyone should resist the temptation to point fingers, since it accomplishes nothing. The call instead was to reject gun violence and political violence in all their forms, regardless of who the target happens to be.