'Why everyone can just have a gun': Faf du Plessis on political activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination

Political activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk was shot dead while speaking at Utah Valley University (UVU) in Orem during his American comeback tour. The incident occurred under a tent on the University campus, and, at the time of writing, authorities are still searching for the shooter who remains at large.The shooting has drawn reactions from various public figures, including former President Donald Trump, who called it "a dark moment for America." Former South African cricket captain Faf du Plessis expressed his views on American gun laws following the incident on social media platform X."RIP Charlie Kirk. I'll never understand America and why everyone can just have a gun," du Plessis wrote on his account.

Du Plessis, who commented on the incident, had a distinguished cricket career.

In Test matches, he scored 4163 runs in 69 games with an average of 40.03, including 21 half-centuries and 10 centuries. His One Day International record shows 5507 runs from 143 games at an average of 46.67, with 12 centuries and 35 half-centuries. In T20 Internationals, he accumulated 1528 runs from 50 games at 35.53, with one century and 10 half-centuries.The incident has reignited discussions about gun laws in the United States.

Current Federal law permits licensed dealers to sell handguns only to individuals aged 21 and above, while long guns like rifles can be sold to those 18 and older, according to Everytown for Gun Safety.Private sellers have different regulations, being allowed to sell handguns to 18-year-olds, with no minimum age requirement for long gun sales.The United States Senate passed a significant gun safety bill in 2022, which was approved by then-President Joe Biden.

The bipartisan legislation received support from 15 Republicans, marking a notable shift in the party's traditional stance on gun control.Trump's position on gun laws has been documented during his recent presidential campaign. During an NRA event, he assured supporters: "No one will lay a finger on your firearms," as reported by AP.Trump connected this incident to previous acts of violence, referencing the assassination attempt against himself in July last year and the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in 2024."Radical left political violence has hurt too many innocent people," Trump stated while addressing Kirk's killing.The shooting at Utah Valley University has become another focal point in the ongoing national discussion about gun violence and gun control measures in the United States. The investigation into Kirk's killing continues as authorities work to identify and apprehend the shooter.