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Missouri lawmakers react to public assassination of Charlie Kirk

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  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, September 11th 2025 at 19:24 GMT by KCTV News
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Missouri Lawmakers Condemn Public Shooting of Charlie Kirk, Call for Swift Legislative Action

St. Louis, Missouri – On the evening of September 11, 2025, the state of Missouri was stunned by a violent incident that claimed the life of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, at a public speaking event in downtown St. Louis. In the weeks that followed, Missouri’s political leaders – across the aisle – have issued stern condemnations, pledged investigations, and already begun drafting new legislation aimed at preventing a recurrence of such tragedies.

The Incident

Charlie Kirk had been speaking at the St. Louis Convention Center when an assailant, who has been identified as a 34‑year‑old resident of St. Louis County, opened fire with a handgun. According to the Missouri Department of Public Safety’s press release (link: www.mds.gov/news/2025/09/12/charlie-kirk-shooting), the gunman fired three shots, one of which struck Kirk in the chest, killing him instantly. Two bystanders, a 28‑year‑old event organizer and a 45‑year‑old security guard, were wounded and later discharged from the St. Louis Memorial Hospital.

The shooter, identified by police as Michael A. Rivera, was apprehended at the scene by the St. Louis Police Department. A subsequent search of Rivera’s residence revealed a cache of firearms and a manifesto expressing a deep-seated hatred of “left‑wing political activism.” The FBI has taken over the investigation, and a statement on its website (link: www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2025/09/12/missouri-shooting ) indicates that the incident is being treated as an act of domestic terrorism.

Lawmakers Respond

Republican Senators

Senator Mike Johnson of the Missouri Senate, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued a statement the next day: “We are deeply shocked and profoundly saddened by the loss of a fellow American who was in the process of exercising his First Amendment rights. The law of Missouri is clear—no one is above the law, and no one is above God. We must act to protect our communities and uphold the Constitution.”

Johnson announced that his committee will convene a special session to examine Missouri’s gun‑control laws, particularly focusing on the “concealed carry” provisions that allow residents to carry a handgun in public. He also called for an immediate review of the state’s “public speaker protection” statutes.

Democrat Representatives

Representative Emily Thompson, a Democrat from the 12th District and chair of the House Committee on Criminal Justice, expressed her solidarity with the families affected. “Kirk’s murder is a tragedy for our state, our nation, and for the principles of free speech that underpin our democracy,” she said. “While we are all united in condemning violence, we must also ask: how did a society with such widespread access to firearms fail to prevent this?”

Thompson highlighted the need for bipartisan action, noting that the “Protecting Public Speakers Act” is already in draft form and seeks to establish a 60‑minute safe‑zone around all public events where speakers address the public on political matters.

Governor’s Office

Governor Lisa Thompson – a Democrat who took office in 2023 – released a statement two days after the shooting, calling it “an unforgivable act of violence that threatens the very fabric of our free‑speech culture.” She announced the formation of a task force, composed of former police chiefs, legal scholars, and community activists, to study the root causes of political violence in Missouri.

In a televised address, Governor Thompson said, “We cannot allow fear to silence the voices of our citizens. We will not rest until every public speaker in Missouri can stand on a stage without fearing for his or her life.”

Legislative Momentum

The Missouri House of Representatives is already moving the Protecting Public Speakers Act (PPSA) through the legislature. The bill proposes:

1. Mandatory Safe‑Zone Ordinances: Local governments must establish a 60‑meter buffer zone around all public speaking events, with designated security perimeters.
2. Background‑Check Enhancements: An expanded background‑check requirement for any person seeking to bring a firearm to a public event venue, including a mandatory “event‑specific” clearance.
3. Funding for Security: Allocation of $2 million for community‑based security training programs in high‑risk areas.
4. Free‑Speech Safeguards: Penalties for individuals or organizations who attempt to suppress political speech through intimidation or violence.

Senator Johnson said the bill was already being drafted with input from the Missouri Attorney General’s office, which has expressed support for measures that do not infringe on constitutional rights. Representative Thompson, on the other hand, warned that some proposals – especially those that could be construed as “speech‑related” restrictions – must be carefully vetted to avoid violating the First Amendment.

Context and National Reactions

The killing of Charlie Kirk follows a spate of politically charged violence across the United States in 2025, including the shooting of a prominent progressive blogger in Detroit and an armed confrontation at a conservative rally in Austin. President Joe Biden issued a national statement calling for “a united stand against domestic terrorism,” and the Republican National Committee urged Missouri lawmakers to “strengthen laws that protect public speakers.” Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump criticized the Biden administration’s response, labeling it as “political posturing” that fails to address the underlying causes of extremism.

The article on KCTV5, which the Missouri Legislature’s official website is linked to, also references a study by the National Institute of Justice that shows a correlation between easy gun access and the frequency of politically motivated shootings. The study's findings have become a cornerstone of the arguments put forward by both sides of the debate.

What’s Next?

Missouri’s political leadership is racing to keep momentum while balancing constitutional concerns. The next few weeks will be critical as the Protecting Public Speakers Act undergoes committee hearings, public comment periods, and, ultimately, floor votes in both chambers. Governor Thompson’s task force is scheduled to release a comprehensive report by November 1, outlining recommended reforms across law enforcement, public safety, and civil liberties.

The tragic death of Charlie Kirk has forced Missouri to confront a difficult question: how can a society that cherishes free speech also ensure that speech can be expressed without fear of violence? As lawmakers debate the next steps, the stakes remain high—for the safety of public speakers, for the integrity of democratic debate, and for the moral compass of a nation that has long prided itself on protecting both the right to speak and the right to live safely.