​BARTLESVILLE, OK - September 11, 2025 - In response to the tragic death of Charlie Kirk, Erik Terwey issued the following statement:

“The despicable political killing of Charlie Kirk yesterday is yet another example of why we need common sense gun laws. The United States has the highest number of gun deaths of any industrialized nation, and we need to reduce the number of guns in our communities. With more guns than people in our society, there has to be a better way forward, even as I support the Second Amendment.

Political killings are an act against the Constitution, which gives every American the right to speak their mind, regardless of whether we agree with them. Freedom of speech is a fundamental right that we are all required to respect and uphold.

I encourage all Oklahomans, including our elected federal delegation, to help lower the temperature of political discourse in this country and to reject violence in all forms. The recent attacks against both Democrats and Republicans alike must not become our new political norm, and I urge Representative Brecheen to join me in calling for replacing political violence with respectful discourse and dialogue.

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