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Charlie Kirk is the Founder and President of Turning Point USA, the largest and fastest growing conservative youth activist organization in the country with over 250,000 student members, over 150 full-time staff, and a presence on over 2,000 high school and college campuses nationwide. Charlie is also the Chairman of Students for Trump, which aims to activate one million new college voters on campuses in battleground states in the lead up to the 2020 presidential election. His social media reaches over 100 million people per month and according to Axios, he is one of the "top 10 most engaged" Twitter handles in the world. He is also the host of “The Charlie Kirk Show,” which regularly ranks among the top news shows on Apple podcast charts.
Kurt Schlichter and Justin Nazaroff Explain the Ballistics Evidence in Charlie Kirk's Case
Kurt Schlichter and Justin Nazaroff break down the ballistics evidence surrounding the tragic death of Charlie Kirk. As CEO of Phoenix Ammunition, Nazaroff addresses widespread misconceptions about bullet behavior, explaining why the absence of an exit wound is completely consistent with the Remington Core-Lokt ammunition used. Schlichter, an attorney and novelist, discusses why some people refuse to accept evidence that contradicts their preferred narratives, even when presented with expert testimony. Together, they examine how ten months of information vacuum allowed speculation to flourish, and why facts are now displacing fiction in the courtroom.
Kurt Schlichter and Justin Nazaroff joined the show to provide expert analysis on the ballistics evidence that has emerged in court proceedings. Nazaroff, CEO of Phoenix Ammunition, has become a prominent voice online, systematically addressing misconceptions about the ammunition and ballistics involved in Charlie Kirk's death.
Schlichter, who is both an attorney and a prolific novelist, praised Nazaroff's approach to explaining complex ballistics information in terms accessible to the general public. He compared Nazaroff's role to that of an expert witness in court, providing factual information rather than speculation.
Understanding Bullet Behavior and Exit Wounds
Nazaroff addressed what he identified as the biggest misconception circulating online: the belief that the absence of an exit wound indicates something unusual occurred. He explained that prior to the preliminary hearing, the specific projectile used was unknown, but it has now been confirmed as a Remington Core-Lokt, a very common soft point round that has been manufactured for decades.
According to Nazaroff, anyone familiar with this type of ammunition knows that jacket separation and fragmentation can absolutely occur when these projectiles strike bone. He emphasized that this is not unusual behavior for hollow point and soft point projectiles.
The absence of an exit wound, rather than being evidence of conspiracy theories involving exploding microphones or electrocution, is actually consistent with the expected performance of this ammunition type. Nazaroff noted that 16 out of 17 of the .30-06 caliber rounds that Remington manufactures have this type of soft tip, which is designed to expand or "mushroom out" upon impact.
The Purpose of Soft Point Ammunition
The design of soft point ammunition serves specific purposes in hunting and sport shooting. These bullets are engineered to expand upon impact, which transfers more energy to the target and reduces the likelihood of over-penetration. This expansion characteristic is precisely why exit wounds may not occur, particularly when the projectile encounters bone.
Nazaroff's expertise has been crucial in countering what he calls "Elmer Fudd lore" - unfounded speculation based on misunderstanding of how ammunition actually performs. His calm, thorough explanations have provided a factual foundation that contrasts sharply with months of speculation.
The Vacuum of Information
The discussion highlighted that the current preliminary hearing marks the ten-month anniversary of the incident. During those ten months, a vacuum of facts and evidence allowed speculation and conspiracy theories to flourish unchecked.
Now that actual evidence is being presented in court proceedings, facts are finally being injected into the conversation. However, despite this influx of verifiable information, some individuals continue to refuse to accept the evidence, instead doubling and tripling down on their preferred narratives.
Why People Resist Evidence
Schlichter offered insight into why some people remain committed to narratives that don't stand up to evidence. He identified several factors at play: some people lack critical thinking skills, some may have mental health issues affecting their judgment, but most people simply have a bias toward never admitting fault.
As Schlichter explained, it's human nature to have pride and not want to admit being wrong. This is true even among attorneys who pride themselves on objectivity and following facts wherever they lead. The difficulty is compounded when people have invested time and emotion into believing what podcasters and online personalities have told them.
Admitting that one was misled by "a bunch of podcasting shysters, a bunch of clowns" requires humility that many find difficult to muster. People become defensive when confronted with evidence that contradicts what they've believed and publicly supported.
The Power of Expert Testimony
Schlichter emphasized the importance of expert witnesses like Nazaroff in legal proceedings. As someone who relied on expert testimony throughout his legal career, he recognized the value of having someone who can explain technical concepts in common language that regular people can understand.
He praised Nazaroff's approach, noting there's no fluff, no anger, no screaming or yelling - just factual information presented clearly. This type of expert testimony provides powerful facts rather than speculation, giving people of good faith the information they need to understand what actually happened.
While those who are embarrassed about being wrong may never be convinced, most normal people are capable of changing their minds when presented with compelling evidence. The kind of expert analysis Nazaroff provides serves this essential function in both legal proceedings and public discourse.
Moving Forward with Facts
The conversation underscored the importance of allowing evidence to speak for itself. After ten months of speculation filling the information void, actual courtroom testimony and expert analysis are finally providing the factual foundation needed for understanding what occurred.
The ballistics evidence, when properly explained by experts like Nazaroff, demonstrates that the physical evidence is consistent with the official account. The behavior of the Remington Core-Lokt ammunition, including the absence of an exit wound, aligns with the known characteristics of this type of projectile when it encounters resistance.
As facts continue to emerge through the legal process, the gap between evidence-based understanding and speculation-driven narratives becomes increasingly clear. Expert witnesses play a crucial role in translating technical information into accessible explanations that help the public understand complex forensic evidence.
